JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are asking for the public's help identifying a man suspected in armed holdups at two Edgewood Avenue businesses, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced on Friday.
About 7:20 a.m. July 20, police said, a man armed with a black semi-automatic handgun went into Checks Cashed on Edgewood Avenue West and attempted to rob the business.
After he was unable to get into the money area of the business, he ran off in an unknown direction, police said.
Days later, police said, the same man -- who was again armed with a black semi-automatic handgun -- walked into the Auto Zone on Edgewood Avenue West just after 8:30 p.m. July 23, forced employees to get in a back room and demanded money.
After the employees handed over the money, the robber ran off in an unknown direction, investigators said.
"Sometimes, people commit robberies because they need to be familiar with the layout. For example, Auto Zone is a franchise store; they they may do things the same way," said Gil Smith, News4Jax crime and safety analyst. "It's possible he may have scoped out the place or some other Auto Zones and determined the best time to strike."
No injuries were reported in either robbery. But Smith said the robber could become more dangerous if he's not caught soon.
"Surveillance video is excellent in terms of solving some crimes. People see it once they put it in the media, and they call in. It was very effective last week with the bank robbery suspect," Smith said. "It's very important that people look at the photograph and if you recognize the person, call police."
Police described the man as being 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium build and complexion and a goatee. He was wearing a black T-shirt, dirty gray sweatpants and a white plaid-patterned baseball hat -- with mesh on the back and Florida written in blue lettering on the front -- in both instances, police said, but appeared to be wearing black shoes in the first robbery and white in the second.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.