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Man arrested last week linked to two additional robberies

A man who was arrested last week in connection with the robbery of a convenience store has been linked to two additional robberies.

Maccquestein West, 30, was identified as the suspect in the robbery of Payless Shoes on South Olive Street on March 8 and Kentucky Fried Chicken at 401 N. Blake St. the same day, according to two probable cause affidavits presented in district court Monday.

Detective Temmiothy Johnson said in one of the affidavits that an employee at Payless said a man later identified as West came into the store and brought two pairs of shoes to the counter. The clerk said when she opened the cash register, the man grabbed money from the register and pulled up his shirt acting as if he had a gun before leaving the store.

Regarding the robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken, Johnson said in the affidavit that a man later identified as West ordered food at the counter and when the clerk rang up the purchase, West allegedly jumped over the counter and grabbed the cash drawer.

According to the affidavit, an employee at the store tried to hold on to the cash drawer but released it when West allegedly reached into his waistband as if he had a gun.

When West was questioned, he allegedly told police he did not have a gun and did not act as if he had one.

Last week, West was identified as the suspect who robbed the Shell Convenience store on Olive Street in February and a $100,000 cash-only bond was set on that allegation.

On Monday, Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set another $100,000 cash-only bond for West after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge him with two counts of aggravated robbery.