WORCESTER - Police arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly tried to rob a pizza deliveryman Friday night and are working to solve two other armed robberies that happened Sunday night.
The Honey Farms market at 341 Grove St. was robbed about 10:45 p.m. Sunday by a man brandishing a handgun, police said.
The clerk was shaken up because the alleged robber demanded money and when when the clerk hesitated the man drew a handgun from his jacket pocket, police said. He then grabbed cash.
The suspect, described as a white man about 5-foot-5, with blond hair and blue eyes, fled the store and was last seen running south on Grove Street. Police said he was wearing a baggy jacket and appeared to be a teenager.
That robbery came about 10 minutes after a man allegedly robbed the Park Avenue Smoke Shop at knife point.
That man was described as being about 5-foot-10, 130 pounds and wearing a hooded sweatshirt and light-colored sweatpants.
The store clerk told officers a man entered the store, brandished a knife and demanded cash. The clerk opened the cash register and the suspect reached over the counter and grabbed money. After taking the cash, the man ran from the store and was seen getting into a small vehicle. The vehicle went north on Park Avenue toward Grove Street.
Police made an arrest in the attempted robbery of a pizza delivery driver Friday.
Dante Blake, 18, of 321 Lincoln St. allegedly ran at a pizza deliveryman who was dropping off food near Grand Street and Pilgrim Avenue about 9:20 p.m.
Gang unit officers were in the area and spoke with witnesses who said three males, including the one who allegedly ran at the driver demanding money, had been standing on Standish Street.
The driver immediately ran away and called police, who canvassed the area and spotted three men at Grafton and Plantation streets who matched the description given by the driver. When police approached them, the three began walking in the opposite direction. Mr. Blake had covered his face with his sweatshirt. The victim identified Mr. Blake as the person who tried to rob him, police said.
Mr. Blake was arrested and was to be arraigned in Central District Court in Worcester.
Anyone with information regarding the two robberies on Sunday is asked to call the Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.