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Two Walgreens Robberies May Be Connected

PALM BAY, Fla. — Two pharmacy robberies less than 24 hours apart have detectives in Palm Bay and Melbourne, comparing notes.

On Monday, a gunman held up a Walgreens on Wickham Road and Eau Gallie Boulevard in Melbourne, and on Sunday, a Palm Bay Walgreens on Malabar Road was hit.

Police believe the same armed man is responsible for both crimes. The suspect even wore some of the same clothing in the robberies.

The Monday morning robbery at the Walgreens happened just before 9:00am as customers shopped. It comes on the heels of Sunday's Palm Bay robbery, which is a short ride south on I-95.

Palm Bay police said a man wearing sunglasses walked toward the pharmacy, carrying a gun and a backpack. He demanded an undisclosed medication before disappearing from sight on Sunday.

Melbourne police believe he reappeared inside the Walgreens on Wickham Road Monday morning demanding more pills.

"It's a wonder no one got hurt," said customer Steve McLane.

So far, the man captured in surveillance pictures has only flashed a weapon at the pharmacies he's robbed. But that's certainly enough to worry investigators and customers who frequent the drug stores.

"It's a matter of where they're going next," said customer Mary Cahill.

With two robberies in less than 24 hours, investigators are wondering if the suspect will show up a third time.

Melbourne and Palm Bay police are comparing notes. Melbourne police also said they are alerting nearby businesses about the robberies.

However, the department wouldn't elaborate on any other measures it might be taking to discourage another daylight robbery.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to find this individual or someone will call us up and let us know who this individual is," said Commander Ron Bell of the Melbourne Police Department.

The suspect is described as a white male. He's between 5'6" tall and 6' tall. He has as a tattoo of some sort on his left hand.

You can contact either Palm Bay or Melbourne police with information on the case.

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