Elusive gunman has robbed 8 liquor stores, gas stations in northern Twin Cities

At a rate of nearly one every other week, a lone masked robber has been striking liquor stores and gas stations in the north Twin Cities metro area.

Now authorities are turning to the public for help tracking down the robber.

The string of crimes began at Blaine Liquor on Lake Drive in Circle Pines on Sept. 28 and so far totals "a minimum of eight," Blaine police said Tuesday.

The robber has hit six liquor stores and two gas stations. He got away with cash in each robbery, and grabbed some cigarettes during one holdup, said Blaine Police Lt. Todd Olson.

With a bandanna over his face, the suspect has struck his targets between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. and has displayed a handgun at times, police added. Authorities have not released any details about the man's age or physical description.

The robberies:

• Sept. 28: Blaine Liquor, Lake Drive, Circle Pines.

• Dec. 22: Moto Mart, Lake Street, Forest Lake.

• Dec. 25: Holiday gas station, Hwy. 65 and 99th Avenue, Blaine.

• Dec. 30: Blaine Liquor, Lake Drive, Circle Pines.

• Jan. 9: ABC Liquor, Hwy. 10, Mounds View.

• Jan. 13: Circle E Wine & Spirits, 208th Street, Forest Lake.

Police have released two photos of the man in a liquor store in hopes that someone will recognize him. Anyone with information is urged to call Blaine police at 763-785-6168 or Anoka County dispatch at 763-427-1212.