Southern Pines police are investigating three robberies that happened Thursday. They have a suspect in one, and believe the other two are connected due to “similarities” in the crimes, said Lt. Rodney Hardy of the Southern Pines police.

Police have a suspect in a robbery that occurred at 7:50 a.m. Monday at Little Caesars, 10725 U.S. 15-501. That man is Kim Peter Moline, 30, of Southern Pines. He is thought to be in possession of a black and silver handgun.

Police say a store employee had arrived to work and was opening the door when a masked gunman approached and forced the clerk inside and collected an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the restaurant in a gold vehicle, possible a Pontiac.

The clerk received treatment from EMS personnel for minor injuries suffered in the incident.

Twelve hours later, robbers struck two local hotels.

At 7:38 p.m. a masked man displaying what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun approached a Goldsboro man at the Best Western, 1675 U.S. 1 South. The suspect punched the victim, took his wallet and fled the scene with another man.

The attacker was described as being a black male standing between 4’11” and 5’4”. The second man was taller, between 5’11” and 6-foot. Both men were described as wearing grey, hooded sweatshirt.

The victim did not required medical attention, police said.

Just before 9 p.m. a male subject wearing dark clothing and a dark hood or ski mask over his face entered the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, 408 W. Morganton Road, and displayed a semi-automatic handgun. The suspect demanded money from an individual in the business. The victim retreated to a back room and locked the door. The suspect then fled the scene, police said. It is unclear if the suspect escaped with any money or tother items, Hardy said.

Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to contact police at 910-692-7031.