Suspected Perpetrator of 9 Medford/Malden Convenience Store Robberies Gets Caught

Image: O’Connell mugshot, via Medford Police.

A monthlong, multi-town convenience store robbery spree may have came to an end on Saturday evening.

According to the Medford Police Department, Kevin O’Connell Jr., 25, of Medford, was caught and confessed to nine armed heists at “mom and pop stores” - seven in Medford and two in Malden - that all took place between Feb. 19 and Saturday, March 28.

Notably, police say when they apprehended O’Connell, he was carrying a replica firearm - not the real deal.

The huge uptick in “mom and pop”-store robberies had prompted an increased presence of plainclothes police in the vicinity of such establishments, including a P’s Variety in Medford. The 106 Central Ave. shop had already been victimized by an armed robber twice in March before a masked gunman looted its cash register again around 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, say the police. Shortly thereafter, according to authorities, they chased down O’Connell as he attmpted to flee the scene.

Medford Police have charged O’Connell with seven counts of armed robbery while masked, and he was arraigned on Monday.