Police are investigating following two similar armed robberies last night.

At around 9:00 p.m. on March 18, 2026, police were called to a business in the 2400 block of Preston Avenue for a report of an attempted robbery that had just occurred. Upon arrival, officers learned that two people entered a business armed with bear spray and confronted the employee while demanding merchandise; a customer in the store intervened and the suspects fled without taking anything.

A short time later, at around 9:30 p.m., police were called to another business in the 1400 block of Central Avenue for a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers learned that two people entered the business armed with bear spray and again confronted the employee while demanding merchandise; stealing an undisclosed amount of product prior to fleeing.

Police are continuing to investigate; it is believed that both incidents may be related.

(Occurrence Numbers: 26-35276, 26-35290)