Police seek Swampscott armed robber

SWAMPSCOTT – Police are searching for the suspect in an armed robbery at the Gap store in Vinnin Square Wednesday afternoon, the second armed robbery at the Swampscott Mall in five days. Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at approximately 3:30 Wednesday at the Gap at 450 Paradise Road.Officers described the suspect as a dark-skinned male in his early 30s, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He is described as wearing a tan cap and a red-and-black checkered long-sleeved shirt with a light T-shirt underneath. The suspect was last seen leaving the store towards the parking lot with approximately $180 in a blue and white Gap bag.It was the second report of an armed robbery at the mall in a week.Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Olympia Sports store two doors down from the Gap at 4:50 p.m. Saturday. Police said the suspect showed a handgun and told employees nobody would be hurt if they handed over the cash. The suspect was described as a dark-skinned Hispanic male with a dark mole on his nose. Police have not made any arrests in the case.Employees at neighboring businesses said Wednesday they were shocked by having been near two armed robberies in a week.”It’s Swampscott!” said Rachel Wiley, a stylist at Cutting Crew. “It just shows everybody should be careful everywhere, even in the parking lots.”Wiley said she couldn’t recall any other robberies at the mall, but remembered banks being robbed nearby. Asked if she was nervous about security, she responded, “Well I guess I should be.”Gary Quince, the manager at Radio Shack, also said that his store had never been robbed and seemed less concerned about security issues. He and employees noted several surveillance cameras in the store; both for security and for sale.”As long as you take the right precautions, you’re fine,” he said.Anybody with information on either or both of the suspects are encouraged to call Swampscott Police at 781-595-1111.