New London police seek suspect in convenience store robberies

New London – Police are looking for a man who allegedly displayed a large knife as he robbed two city convenience stores late last night and early this morning.

Police said the suspect, described as skinny, of unknown race and about 6-feet tall, wore a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, a mask covering his face, light colored long pants and white sneakers and fled on foot after stealing cash from the Cumberland Farms on Montauk Avenue and the Sam’s Store on Ocean Avenue.

Police said after each robbery – the first around 11 p.m. at the Cumberland Farms store and the second around 4:20 a.m. from the Sam’s Store – police created a perimeter, broadcast the suspect’s description to patrol cars and used a K-9 unit to track the suspect. Those efforts were unsuccessful and police ask anyone with information about either of the robberies to contact the New London Police Detective Division at (860) 447-1481.

Police encourage business owners open late at night to use caution with any suspicious people who enter their stores or who are loitering nearby. Police provided the following list of tips to avoid falling victim to such crimes:

-Remove signs from windows/doors that obstruct the view into the store from the street/parking lots.

-Require all customers to remove hooded style coverings from their heads and sunglasses upon entering the store.

-Inspect all video camera and alarm systems to insure they are functioning properly.

-Replace exterior lighting that may be burnt out or not emitting proper amounts of light.

-Remove large amounts of cash from cash registers several times per shift, utilizing a drop safe within the store to secure funds.

-Notify police of anyone suspicious who may be loitering in the area, providing detailed descriptions whenever possible.