An Elmwood Park NJ man accused of robbing two local businesses was recently apprehended in Florida.

According to law enforcement, the suspect used a handgun during both robberies.

The first robbery occurred on Christmas Eve 2015 at a Subway sandwich shop located at 505 Boulevard in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. The suspect allegedly walked into the Subway store and approached a female employee. He reportedly brandished a black semiautomatic handgun as he ordered the store worker to give him cash from the register. The suspect reportedly got $517 and then fled the scene on foot.

The second robbery occurred on New Year’s Day 2016 at a Delta Gas Station located on Broadway in Elmwood Park, NJ. The suspect reportedly ordered a gas station attendant to hand over money. When the attendant initially refused to leave the gas station booth, the suspect allegedly threatened to shoot him. The suspect reportedly made off with $306.

The Elmwood Park Police Department investigated the theft incidents and soon determined that the same person may have committed both armed robberies.

Law enforcement eventually learned that the suspect had fled to Bradenton, Florida. The suspect was arrested by Florida police on unrelated drug charges, according to jail records released by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department.

The 35-year-old suspect, who has a residence in Elmwood Park, NJ, has been charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose for the Elmwood Park robberies.

It is expected that the suspect will be extradited back to New Jersey so that he can answer the robbery charges in Elmwood Park.

For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Man Charged with Elmwood Park Armed Holdups Arrested in Florida.”