Man, 60, charged in connection with four armed robberies in Kitchener

A 60-year-old man faces multiple charges after police linked him to four knifepoint robberies at local businesses.

Waterloo Regional Police say a 60-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of commercial robberies in Kitchener.

Police said the incidents took place over two separate dates, beginning on March 29 at approximately 7 p.m., when a male suspect entered a business near Belmont Avenue and Glasgow Street.

Investigators said the suspect confronted an employee while holding a knife and demanded cash before fleeing the area. No items were stolen and no injuries were reported.

According to police, the same suspect was involved in three additional incidents on April 4.

Police said at about 9:55 p.m., the suspect went to a business in the area of Belmont Avenue West and Glasgow Street, where he again allegedly confronted an employee with a knife and demanded money. The employee began calling police, prompting the suspect to flee without obtaining any cash. No injuries were reported.

“Later that evening, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the male suspect attended another business in the area of King Street West and Andrew Street,” police said in a media release. “The suspect confronted a store employee while brandishing a knife and demanding cash. Security staff intervened and the suspect fled the area. No items were stolen and no physical injuries were reported. At approximately 10:50 p.m., the male suspect attended another business in the same area of King Street West and Andrew Street. The suspect confronted a store employee while brandishing a knife and stole a cash register containing cash before fleeing the area. No physical injuries were reported.”

Police said members of the Direct Action Response Team, North Patrol and the Emergency Response Team were able to identify and locate the suspect, who was taken into custody.

The Break, Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery Team has taken over the investigation and laid additional charges.

The accused faces four counts each of robbery with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disguise with intent, as well as single counts of uttering threats and possession of an identity document.

Police have not released the name of the accused.