Police investigate rash of restaurant robberies

An armed robbery at a Subway restaurant in Minneapolis Thursday was the fourth restaurant robbery in the city in a week, police said.

Three armed men robbed a Subway at 2400 East Hennepin Avenue Thursday morning. The men forced employees into a cooler and stole a backpack, cell phone and cash, Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said.

The robbery is similar to three others this week --- two at Subway restaurants. One occurred at 3541 Cedar Ave. South, and another at 3621 50th St. West. Robbers also hit the Quiznos restaurant at 1851 Washington Ave. South, Elder said.

In all the robberies, the suspects wore masks, hoods and gloves, working in groups of three, and carried guns, according to a recent police statement in which Minneapolis police released suspect photos.

Two similar robberies recently took place in Minnetonka and St. Anthony. Minneapolis police are working with police in those cities to investigate whether the robberies are related.

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