Police Suspect 1 Man in String of Store Robberies

RALEIGH, N.C. — Authorities in Wake County are looking at one man who they think might be responsible for five convenience store robberies and two shootings within the past few months.

The latest robbery happened at about 9 p.m. Tuesday at Freddy's Shell Station at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Spring Forest Road in Raleigh. Police said the gunman went into the store, demanded money and shot the store clerk several times before fleeing on foot.

The clerk, Alfredo Espinosa, 46, was taken to WakeMed. Police said Espinosa's injuries were not life-threatening.

The assailant, was described as a black man in his 20s or 30s standing about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 150 to 160 pounds. He was wearing a plain, dark-colored baseball cap, a dark-colored winter jacket, black pants and white sneakers, police said.

Authorities think the latest crime is associated with previous robberies because of similarities in the assailant's physical description and the distinctive black cap and white piping on his jacket.

Anyone with information that might assist the investigation should call the Raleigh Police Department’s Detective Division at 919-890-3398 or CrimeStoppers at 919-226-CRIME (226-2746).