Southern Pines police are investigating three robberies that happened Monday. They have a suspect in one and believe the other two are connected, 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. Authorities are looking for Kim Peter Moline, 30, of Southern Pines.

Police say a store employee had arrived at work and was opening the door when a gunman, his face covered by a mask, approached and forced the clerk inside and collected an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the restaurant in a gold vehicle believed to be a Pontiac. The clerk was treated by paramedics 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 a black male between 4'11" and 5'4". The second man was taller, between 5'11" and 6 foot. Both men were described as wearing gray, hooded sweatshirts.

The victim did not require medical attention, police said.

Just before 9 p.m. a man 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 other items, Hardy said.

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

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey@thepilot.com.