ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca Police Department responded to three reports of armed robbery in the City of Ithaca over the weekend.

While IPD did not say if the three robberies are connected, they share similar behavior during the robberies and the descriptions of the suspect are similar. IPD did make an arrest in one robbery on Sunday morning.

Hilton Garden Inn – Saturday, 7:35 p.m.

The first reported robbery call came in around 7:35 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Ithaca Police were called to the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 130 E. Seneca Street,  An employee working the front desk reported an individual entered the business and initiated an interaction with this clerk at the front desk. The subject stalled as persons walked through the lobby. When the lobby was clear, the perpetrator brandished a firearm and pointed it at the clerk, demanding money.

The clerk followed the subject’s direction and was not injured during the incident.

The perpetrator is described as a young, dark-skinned male, of heavier stature, who was wearing what was believed to be a bandana over the lower part of his face. He fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, headed westbound on E. Seneca St.

A-Plus Gas Station – Sunday, 3:29 a.m.

The second report of an armed robbery came on Sunday, July 26th, at approximately 3:29 a.m. IPD responded to the A-Plus Gas Station, located at 210 S Cayuga Street.

The victim, who had been working the cash register, told officers that a subject entered the business, walked around for a short time, and then approached the cashier. The suspect displayed a handgun that had been kept in a black backpack he had placed on the counter. The suspect demanded money and the cashier followed the suspect’s direction and was not injured during the incident.

Similar to the first incident, the perpetrator is described as a young, dark-skinned male of heavier stature, wearing what was believed to be a bandana over the lower part of his face, a beanie, long-sleeved green shirt, long khaki shorts and white sneakers.

He fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, headed northbound on Cayuga Street.

Convenience Store, N. Meadow Street, Sunday, 9: 30 a.m.

Finally, around 9:30 a.m., Sunday, IPD was called to an armed robbery of a convenience store in the 200 block of N. Meadow Street.

Initial reports were that a suspect entered the store, displayed what appeared to be a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

During the initial police response a suspect, Allen Forrest, 40, of Lansing, was detained based on the information and evidence immediately available to the responding patrol officers.
A subsequent investigation has led to Allen Forrest being charged with robbery in the first degree.

Forrest was arraigned before Ithaca City Court Judge Peacock and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail.

Investigation ongoing

A press release from IPD states that four other recent armed robberies of commercial establishments that have been reported to the IPD are still under investigation. The Ithaca Police Department is asking for members of the community who may have additional information regarding the recent gun crimes to come forward. Individuals may remain anonymous if they wish.

Ithaca Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact them via any of the means below:

Police Dispatch: (607) 272-3245

Police Administration: (607) 272-9973

Police Tipline: (607) 330-0000

Email: policeinfo@cityofithaca.org

Anonymous Tip Submission: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips

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