NORTH READING — Chief Michael P. Murphy reports that the suspect from an armed robbery last week is in custody.

On Saturday, March 16, at approximately 3:20 a.m., North Reading Police responded to a report of an armed, masked robbery at the 7-Eleven Convenience Store on Main Street. A man entered the store, and brandished a knife and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk was not injured.

North Reading Police are aware of four similar robberies in the area: at a Lowell Pawn Shop on Thursday, March 14; a Haverhill convenience store on Saturday, March 16; a Tewksbury convenience store on Saturday, March 16; and a Wilmington convenience store on Tuesday, March 19.

An investigation undertaken by North Reading Police and police in Tewksbury, Haverhill, Lowell, Lawrence, and Massachusetts State Police led to the suspect.

DENNIS WASHINGTON, AGE 26, OF LAWRENCE was arrested by Police Wednesday in Lawrence. He was later held on an outstanding warrant for robbery.

North Reading Police applied for an arrest warrant for the robbery that occurred in North Reading. A warrant was subsequently issued, out of Woburn District Court for WASHINGTON, charging him with Masked Armed Robbery and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

WASHINGTON, who is known to police, is being held at the Middleton House of Correction pending arraignment’s in Lowell and Woburn District Courts. Additional charges from North Reading and other communities may be added.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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