Gas Station Robbery Suspect Arrested

A man suspected of committing a string of store robberies -- including one in Medford where a handgun was used -- was arrested in Boston Friday, police said.

Michael Gomes, 35, of Boston was arrested by Boston Police detectives on April 8 on Woodgate Street in Mattapan and charged with armed robbery, according to a Boston Police Department statement.

Police released several surveillance issues of the suspect, and the public aided in his capture, acccording to the police statement.

A black replica handgun was found during a sweep of the residence where Gomes was found in Mattapan, police said.

At about 4 p.m. on March 29, a hispanic male, described at about 5' 6" and in his twenties, entered the store at the Sunoco Gas Station at 470 Riverside Ave. and robbed it at gun point, according to a previous press release from Medford police Lt. Paul Covino.

The suspect was wearing a black baseball cap, a black nylon winter vest, and a red short sleeve shirt, Covino said.  He also has a mustache along with a small growth of hair under his bottom lip and a small beard on his chin.

The suspect was also believed to be connected to the following robberies in Boston (Information provided by Boston Police Department):

*On April 4, 2011 at 2:38am, a commercial robbery occurred at 715 Morrissey Boulevard (CVS) in Dorchester (C11). The suspect pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money. Suspect described as white Hispanic male, 25 years old, 5’6’’, 180lbs., slim build, brown ‘bushy’ ponytail, light moustache wearing a black baseball cap with “B” on it, black puffy vest and blue jeans with a frayed pocket area.

*On April 4, 2011 at 2:14am, a commercial robbery occurred at 722 Huntington Ave (7 Eleven) in Roxbury (B2). Victim states that a light skinned Hispanic male showed a black handgun and took money from the register. Victim stated that suspect acted as if he intended to purchase and Arizona Ice Tea and then demanded money from the register. Suspect described as light-skinned Hispanic male, mid to late twenties, black baseball cap, frizzy hair with short ponytail, thin moustache, black puffy coat and ripped blue jeans.

*On April 2, 2011 at 5:33am, officers were dispatched to 772 Adams Street (Adams Corner General Store) in Dorchester (C11) for an armed robbery. Victim stated that a light-skinned Hispanic male acted as if he was going to purchase two scratch tickets when he pointed a black firearm at the clerk and demanded money. The suspect, who fits the suspect description above, took the money and fled.

*On March 29, 2011 at 9:36pm, officers responded to a Shell gas station at 302 W. Broadway in South Boston (C6). Officers spoke with the victim who stated that a suspect approached the counter with a black handgun and demanded money. Suspect, who fits the above descriptions, fled the store.

*On March 21, 2011 at 6:30am, officers responded to Premier Petrol at 82 River Street in Mattapan for an armed robbery. Victim states he was approached by a light-skinned Hispanic male who presented a black handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled in an unknown direction.

*Two other similar incidents with a similar suspect description occurred on March 20, 2011 at the 7 Eleven (735 Morrissey Blvd in Dorchester) and on March 3, 2011 at the Hess Gas Station (710 Gallivan Blvd in Dorchester).