NEW BEDFORD - Police are stepping up patrols after three armed robberies, believed to be related, at local convenience stores.

Two of the robberies happened on back-to-back days at the same location.

At 7:24 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, police received a report of armed robbery at the XtraMart at 117 Durfee St. A clerk told police a white man wearing a black hoodie and gray sweatpants showed a stun gun-like device to the clerk, stole money and fled west on Durfee Street and south on Caroline Street, where he possibly got into a tan older vehicle.

At 9:26 p.m. Sunday, at the same location, police received a report that a black male, described as 20-30 years old and about five-foot-six robbed the store, brandishing a stun gun-like device. The suspect was said to be wearing black pants, a black hooded jacket and a black bandana with purple markings. He stole cash and then may have fled on a bicycle, headed west on Durfee Street.

At 7:11 p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Bizarro Food Mart at 556 Kempton St. The clerk told police a suspect described as a male wearing black pants, black shirt and a winter hat with his face covered displayed a black cylindrical object. He stole cash and then left the store, headed north on Newton St.

New Bedford police are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 508-991-6350 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463 or e-mail tip@newbedfordpd.com.

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