A suspected robber believed to be responsible for a series of armed robberies in Stanislaus County was apprehended Wednesday, July 31 by the Modesto Police Department.

Mykel Roberts is accused of robbing several gas stations, mini marts and one pizza place during a spree that started in March and continued through July 31.

Police said Roberts would enter the businesses either alone or with an accomplice and use a firearm to threaten the employees and demand the cash. He was usually wearing a mask. In the Turlock robbery, which happened around 4:30 a.m. on July 31at the Chevron gas station at 2901 Geer Rd. Roberts is accused of firing a gun at the clerk, though no injuries were reported.

Roberts capture was put into motion when the Modesto Police Department Street Gang Unit spotted him while patrolling in the area of Sutter and Rouse avenues. Roberts matched the description of a suspect wanted for robbing a Little Caesar’s Pizza shop and was driving a black older model Honda Accord that was reported stolen out of Turlock earlier that day.

The officers attempted to stop Roberts, but he sped away. The decision was made to end the pursuit quickly because of Robert’s reckless driving and the number of motorists on the street. He was last seen getting onto Highway 99, headed south.

Roberts took the Crows Landing Road exit and continued to Ustick and Lynne Renee Court in south Modesto where he crashed the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. He was eventually captured hiding inside a friend’s house in the 1500 block of Lynne Renee Court.

Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation and a search warrant was served at the address on Lynne Renee Court. As the investigation progressed, Roberts was found to be the suspect in seven commercial robberies involving a suspect using a short barreled AR15 type rifle. Four robberies occurred within the jurisdiction of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, three in Modesto and the one robbery in Turlock.

The investigation is ongoing and at least two other suspects are outstanding. Anyone with information regarding the above robberies and suspects is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 521-4636.