ARMED ROBBERY SPREE ENDS IN ARREST

(PERRYVILLE, MD) -- A joint investigation by the Maryland State Police, Baltimore County, Perryville, Aberdeen, and Havre de Grace police departments led to the arrest last night of a Cecil County man police believe is responsible for a string of armed robberies.

The suspect is identified as Michael R. Malpass, 25, of the 1500 block of West Old Philadelphia Road, Charlestown, Md. He was arrested without incident shortly after 7:00 p.m. yesterday for robberies in three northeastern Maryland counties. He was in the custody of Maryland State Police JFK Highway Barrack investigators awaiting an initial appearance before District Court commissioner for armed robbery, assault and theft charges. Charges from other jurisdictions are pending.

State Police have charged Malpass in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on November 9, 2011, at the Maryland House Travel Plaza Exxon station on I-95 near Aberdeen. The suspect entered the station shortly after 12:30 p.m., confronted the clerk and showed what appeared to be a handgun tucked in his waistband before fleeing with cash. The suspect was seen leaving in a silver vehicle.

During the next week, other armed robberies involving similar circumstances and a similar suspect description occurred in Harford, Cecil, and Baltimore counties. They include the November 11th robbery of Shell gas station on Middleton Road in Aberdeen, the November 13th robbery of the Royal Farms Store on Pulaski Highway in Perryville, the November 14th robbery of a 7-Eleven store on Belair Road in Overlea, and the November 15th robbery of a Rite-Aid Pharmacy on Pulaski Highway in Havre de Grace. Investigators believe the same suspect was also responsible for the armed robbery of a Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Harford Road in Parkville on the morning of November 17th. No one was injured during any of the robberies.

After working together and comparing evidence and information, police prepared a Metro Crime Stoppers bulletin with a photo of the suspect taken during a Baltimore County robbery. The suspect’s photo was also broadcast on Baltimore television stations and published on media websites and in newspapers. Numerous tips were received from concerned citizens and Malpass was identified as the suspect.

Malpass was arrested following the stop of a 2008 Chevrolet Impala on Pulaski Highway in Perryville by investigators from the Maryland State Police - Criminal Investigation Division State Apprehension Team (SAT) and the Gang Enforcement Unit (GEU). A short time later, troopers from SAT and GEU, along with investigators from the JFK Highway Barrack and the Baltimore County Police Department, served a search warrant at a residence in Charlestown. Evidence recovered by investigators linked Malpass to the string of robberies. The Chevrolet Impala was identified as the getaway vehicle in the reported robberies. The investigation into the robberies continues.