Idaho Falls police seek armed robber

Idaho Falls Police are searching for a suspect who robbed the Common Cents convenience store on West Broadway early Tuesday morning. The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, 130 pounds, dressed in a hoodie, blue jeans and wearing a white mask or scarf over his face.

Police were called to the store at 1940 W. Broadway at 2:57 am. A clerk told police the suspect came in while she was in the back room. When she returned, she said she saw the man standing at the till holding a white plastic grocery sack. She said he then lifted his shirt to show her a gun tucked in his waist band and ordered her to put money in the sack.

“I think a lot of it is out of desperation,” said Sgt. Philip Grimes, Idaho Falls Police. “Sometimes people need quick cash for drugs or you name it. People get more money out of bank robberies, so more time and preparation is put into those.”

The man then fled on foot, heading south and then west of the store.

Detectives said they are considering the possibility of linking today’s robbery with a very similar one that occurred last week, just down the street from Common Cents at Maverick.

“To have two in a row, so close together like this, we certainly have to think that it’s the same person involved; especially when you look at how the person is dressed and the size,” said Grimes. “That’s certainly how we’re leaning at this point.”

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Idaho Falls Police Department at 529-1200 or Crimestoppers at 522-1983.