Police Believe Same Man Stole Cash Registers in 2 Waffle House Robberies

Gwinnett Police believe the same man stole cash registers during recent armed robberies at two Waffle House locations.

In both cases the man brandished a gun, walked behind the counter and took the registers. Both robberies were captured on video surveillance, which indicated the suspect left in a small black car.

Police released images from both crimes -- July 13 at the Waffle House at 2320 Satellite Boulevard near Duluth, and Aug. 17 at 1205 Lakes Parkway near Lawrenceville. Both happened around 5 a.m.

“The lead investigator believes that the same suspect is responsible for both robberies,” Gwinnett Police public information officer Cpl. Michele Pihera said in a Tuesday morning email.

After the first robbery, police interviewed an employee and customer, and were told the suspect “entered the location holding a handgun and demanded money. The suspect walked behind the counter and stole the entire cash register,” Pihera said.

Video footage indicated the suspect got into the driver’s seat of a black four-door car, believed to be a newer model Hyundai Elantra or similar.

After the second robbery, employees told police a very similar account of the incident. One of the employees also noticed a small black car circling the parking lot just before the robbery. The suspect was seen leaving the restaurant and getting into the driver’s seat of the small black passenger car.

Suspect Description (from GCPD)

• Race / Sex: Black / Male
• Age: 20-30 years old
• Height: 5-9 to 5-11
• Weight: 170-190 lbs.
• Clothing: Grey hooded sweatshirt, black or dark blue pants, black shoes, black or dark blue mask, black sunglasses.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, contact the Robbery Unit at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404 577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

Photos: The first three photos are from the Aug. 17 robbery near Lawrenceville, the second three from July 13 near Duluth. Credit: Gwinnett Police PIO