Authorities Search for Armed Robber

 detectives are seeking help from citizens in identifying an armed man who has robbed several local businesses in the past few weeks.

The suspect robbed a GP Mart convenience store at 1483 Boiling Springs Road near Lexington on Feb. 26, a Waffle House restaurant at 3939 Sunset Boulevard near West Columbia on Feb. 27, and a Dollar General store at 4679 Augusta Highway near Gilbert on March 1 (see attached surveillance photos).

In each robbery, the man stole an undetermined amount of money while armed with a handgun. In each of the robberies, caught on closed-circuit TV, the man covered his face with a red bandanna.

Witnesses described the suspect as a Hispanic male in his 20s, approximately 5 feet 6 inches with a medium to heavy build, and "sparkling brown eyes."

In one robbery, the man was wearing a gray sweatshirt with a hood, black athletic pants with white stripes, and black athletic shoes, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said. In another robbery, the man was wearing a black sweatshirt with a hood, and blue athletic pants with white stripes. In the third robbery, the man was wearing a black sweatshirt with a hood, black athletic pants with white stripes, and black athletic shoes.

Metts asked anyone with information about the three armed robberies or the man who committed them to contact the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Informants may remain anonymous.