Mobile police are investigating a pair of armed robberies at gas stations that occurred within roughly 30 minutes of each other on a recent Sunday night, raising questions about whether the two holdups were connected.
The first robbery happened after 11 p.m. at the Shell station located at 1391 Schillinger Road, where an unidentified man brandishing a handgun demanded cash from the clerk on duty. The suspect fled the store on foot after collecting money from the register, according to police.
A short time later, a second armed robbery was reported at the Kangaroo gas station at 10 N. University Boulevard. Police said a man matching a similar description, also armed with a handgun, confronted the cashier and demanded money before leaving the scene.
Investigators have not said publicly whether they believe the same person or persons were responsible for both robberies, though the short time gap and similar methods have fueled speculation among nearby residents and business owners that the cases may be linked. Mobile police continue to review surveillance footage from both locations as part of the investigation.
Armed robberies at convenience stores and gas stations remain a persistent challenge for Mobile police, who regularly ask store owners to maintain working security cameras and adequate lighting around registers and parking areas. Late-night clerks are often instructed to comply with robbery demands rather than resist, prioritizing personal safety over store property.
Both the Schillinger Road and University Boulevard corridors see heavy traffic throughout the day and night, with numerous retail and fuel businesses operating in the area. Robberies at stations along these routes have prompted some owners to invest in additional security measures, including improved lighting and time-delay safes that limit the amount of cash accessible to would-be robbers.
Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to contact Mobile police directly or to reach out to the Mobile County Crimestoppers tip line, which allows callers to remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted by text message using the keyword CRIME411 sent to 274637, a system designed to make reporting easier for people who may be hesitant to call in directly.
Crimestoppers tips that lead to an arrest can also be eligible for a cash reward, an incentive local law enforcement agencies say has helped solve numerous cases across Mobile County over the years. No arrests had been announced in connection with either robbery as of the latest update from police.