Police: Hopewell armed robbery has gang connection - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Masked men, armed with guns, rob two 7-Eleven stores within one week. Hopewell Police say one of the crimes is tied to a gang initiation.

Both armed robberies were caught in surveillance video.

The first crime happened on October 11 around 1:30 a.m. at the 7-Eleven store in the 2000 block of West Broadway Street.

In the video two masked men, both with guns, approach the clerk. The crooks demand money.The clerk hands over both register drawers.

When the thieves clean out the drawers, they take off on foot.

Customers, like Nell Vergara, are concerned.

"It's getting that way everywhere. It's too close to home," Vergara, said.

Four days later, on October 15, a similar crime took place at the 7-Eleven convenience store in the 2300 block of Oaklawn Boulevard.

In this case, three masked men, one with a rifle, walk into the store around 2:30 a.m. The  group surrounds the clerk.

Police say, the guy with the gun and the pajama-bottom is 15 years old - and that he's committing the armed robbery as part of his gang initiation.

"The main goal is to solve the crimes and to get the weapons off the streets," said Sgt. Rose Camacho, with the Hopewell Police Dept.

Hopewell Police made three arrest in the Oaklawn Blvd. armed robbery. The two adults charged are 22-year-old Arkeem Thomas and 20-year-old Jermaine Thomas.

Police are still on the look-out for the two suspects from the West Broadway Street armed robbery.

Right now, police say it's unclear if the two 7-Eleven crimes are connected.

If you have any information on either crime you're asked to contact Hopewell Police or Crime Solvers at 541-2202.

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