Niles Twp. robberies may be linked

Police ask residents to be on alert for suspicious activity.

February 01, 2011|By TOM MOOR, Tribune Staff Writer

NILES — Police say believe at least two recent armed robberies to businesses in Niles Township could be connected.

In both robberies — one at Kubiak’s Bar and the other at a Papa John’s — the suspect was described by witnesses as a man wearing a ski mask and holding a gun.

The most recent occurred early Saturday morning at Kubiak’s at 319 State Line Road. Police say a man came into the bar about 2:15 a.m. and ordered two victims who were closing up for the night to lie down at gunpoint as the suspect reportedly took an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing south into Indiana.

The other robbery was Jan. 25 at the Papa John’s at 1919 S. 11th St. Police are also not ruling out the potential that a third robbery could be related — Dec. 16 at the Payless ShoeSource at 2706 S. 11th St.

Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Fabian Suarez said the two most recent cases had similar MOs.

Berrien County Police are looking into the Kubiak’s and Payless robberies, while state police are handling Papa John’s.

"We’re obviously sharing notes," Suarez said. "We know they had video at Kubiak’s. We’re working at the same goal. Hopefully we’ll get this guy before he hurts someone."

"We certainly want people to be aware of their surroundings and make sure their video system is working."

In the Papa John’s incident, police say the only description employees could provide was that the suspect wore a black ski mask.

In the Payless theft, the assailant demanded money from the register after showing an employee that he had a gun. A police dog tracked the suspect but lost the trail at a point where Berrien County deputies say they believe he had a getaway car, at the corner of Third Street and Bertrand Road.

Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit, who says two detectives are assigned to the Kubiak’s case, added that residents can lend a helping hand in the investigation as well.

"They can look out for any suspicious activity or vehicles," he said. "The biggest thing is they get a good description. We’d rather go to several unfounded suspicious things than not get called out."

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department asks anyone with information to call its detective bureau at 269-983-7141 ext. 7224.

Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6234

|

|

|