Man arrested on suspicion of armed robberies in Belgrade and Bozeman

Three armed robberies were reported May 12, and one man has been arrested.

A hotel near North 7th and Oak reported that a man with a knife robbed the hotel of cash, then fled the scene at about 2:17 a.m. May 12, according to a Wednesday press release from the Bozeman Police Department.

At about 2:42 a.m. the same day, a gas station near East Main and North Broadway also reported that a man with a knife robbed the station, then fled, according to the release.

"The description of the man and details of each incident indicated the robberies were related," the release reads. "Fortunately, no one was injured during either robbery. Bozeman Police officers quickly arrived at both businesses and began investigating each incident. Detectives from the Bozeman Police Department Major Crimes Unit soon responded and took over both investigations."

Bozeman police were advised a short time later that a similar incident occurred in Belgrade shortly after the two Bozeman incidents. In the Belgrade case, a suspect reportedly committed an armed robbery at about 3:08 a.m. May 12  at the Town Pump located at 206 W. Jefferson in Belgrade. The man fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival, according to a Wednesday statement from the City of Belgrade.

"Belgrade Police Detectives assumed the investigation and, in coordination with the Bozeman Police Department, identified a person of interest in the case," reads the city's statement. "That individual is currently in custody as the investigation continues. At this time, there is no ongoing risk to the public related to this incident."

A man accused in the incidents was in custody as of Wednesday morning in another jurisdiction on separate charges, according to the Bozeman Police Department release.

"Detectives are actively working with the Belgrade Police Department on all three incidents," the release reads. "There does not appear to be any further risk to the public. Thank you to the Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, the Montana State University Police Department, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Belgrade Police Department, and the Montana Highway Patrol for their assistance with this investigation."