Nine drug stores were targeted for robbery in less than two weeks, and authorities say they suspect
the same guy in each case - a 27-year-old Flint man who had been released on parole in November.
In one day alone, police say, he hit three stores, two within an hour of each other.
Marcel Hinkle was arraigned Saturday, charged in connection with three armed robberies and one attempted robbery, with additional charges expected this week. His previous convictions also included armed robbery in Kent County.
"I am extremely proud of the team effort of all the agencies involved to bring this clearly dangerous serial armed robber to justice," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "Hopefully, this time, he will stay behind bars and not threaten the public again."
Investigators said Hinkle targeted the nine drug stores - five Walgreens locations, three CVS stores, and a Rite Aid - between Jan. 19 and Jan. 31 in Oakland and Genesee counties. He is being held without bond.
According to prison records, Hinkle has several tattoos, including one on his left forearm that says "Blessed."
Here are the drug stores that were robbed:
At 7:39 p.m. Jan. 19, deputies were dispatched to Walgreens at 3520 S. Baldwin Road in Orion Township. Witnesses said the suspect wore a black hoodie with a white emblem, black pants, black shoes and a light blue surgical mask entered the store.
He ordered the clerk to open the register and presented his right arm with what appeared to be a handgun. The man threatened to shoot the clerk. He grabbed the money from the drawer and left.
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The next day, at 2:02 p.m., Lake Orion police were dispatched to Walgreens Pharmacy at 450 N. Park St. The subject was wearing identical clothing as the man in the Orion Township robbery, police said.
Authorities reported two robberies Jan. 22. One at about 1:50 p.m., at the CVS at 31010 John R in Madison Heights and about an hour later, the Walgreens at 2985 Crooks Road in
Rochester Hills.
A man wearing a green jacket, black pants, blue mask and white gloves entered the store, demanded money from a clerk and manager, saying several times, "Don't make me shoot you," police said. The man left the store with a drawer of money.
On Jan. 23, there were three robberies. The first was at 3:56 p.m. at the Walgreens at 7110 Dixie Highway in Independence Township. The suspect was wearing a black hoodie with a white emblem, dark pants and a blue mask, police said.
About an hour later the same day, police reported the CVS at 4031 Grange Hall Road in the Village of Holly was robbed. The man was wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the earlier robbery.
At 8:21 p.m., Fenton police were dispatched to Walgreens at 3270 W. Silver Lake Road for an attempted armed robbery. The man was wearing a red jacket with a black shirt, blue hooded sweatshirt, black hat, jeans, a mask and gloves, police said.
An eighth robbery and an attempted robbery occurred on Jan. 31. The first was at 3:28 p.m. at the CVS at 1980 E. Big Beaver in Troy. The second happened at 4:16 p.m. at the Rite Aid at 2480 Lapeer in Auburn Hills.

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