GALLIPOLIS — A rash of armed robberies have taken place in Gallia County over an eight-day span, beginning Saturday, Nov. 14, with the most recent incident taking place at approximately 7:40 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Par Mar Store (Exxon), located at the corner of Third Avenue and Vine Street in Gallipolis.

Local law enforcement is searching for the suspect, described as a white male, approximately six-feet tall, possibly with blue eyes, wearing a dark hoodie with a grey mask over his face.

According to a press release issued by the Gallipolis Police Department, the suspect used a knife to threaten the attendant at the Par Mar store Saturday evening, and forced her into a bathroom after she surrendered the money to him.

This makes the fourth robbery at knifepoint since Nov. 14, giving police reason to believe that all except one may be connected.

The first occurred at the Dollar General in Gallipolis, however a suspect was picked up the following day and has been housed in the Gallia County Jail since his arrest. A couple of hours after the first robbery took place, the Spring Valley Marathon was held up. Then, Brown’s Market was robbed last Thursday evening, also around 7:40 p.m.

The suspect in the Spring Valley Marathon robbery was said to have walked into the store with a turtleneck pulled up over his face before pulling a knife. He was described as approximately five-feet, eight-inches tall, medium build, wearing a white and black denim-type jacket.

The suspect in the Brown’s Market robbery was described as six-feet tall, 160 to 190 pounds, wearing blue jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt, thought to be in his early 20s. His vehicle was described as a dark colored four-door car, possibly a box style, larger bodied mid-90s model. Brown’s Market is offering a $500 reward to anyone with information that leads to a conviction in connection with Thursday’s incident.

According to the GPD, Saturday’s robbery is still under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact them at 446-1313. Citizens with information about any of the previous robberies are encouraged to contact the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office tipline at 446-6555.