Shop robbery suspect arrested after stolen handgun and 181 packs of cigarettes seized
BALTIMORE, MD – A string of armed commercial robberies in the Eastern and Northeast districts ended Sunday when 61-year-old Anthony Christopher was taken into custody near Sherwood and Bonaparte Avenues after officers found a stolen handgun, U.S. currency and 181 packs of cigarettes.
Investigators linked Christopher to recent hold-ups at businesses on Belair Road, Wolfe Street, Harford Road and East 25th Street, and say the arrest follows an inquiry into multiple commercial armed robberies across the two districts. Police allege the items recovered at the arrest scene matched goods reported stolen during the robberies; Christopher was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility and charged with armed robbery, first-degree assault and a handgun violation.
Court records and law enforcement sources show Christopher had been released from prison recently after serving time for a prior armed robbery conviction. Detectives recovered evidence at the scene they say ties him to the series of commercial robberies, and charges were filed following the arrest.
The seizure of the stolen handgun and U.S. currency is expected to figure in the prosecution, and detectives continue to review surveillance footage and witness accounts from the affected business locations. No additional arrests were announced at the time of the arrest, and the investigation remains active.
Key Points
- Anthony Christopher was arrested Sunday near Sherwood and Bonaparte Avenues after detectives seized a stolen handgun, U.S. currency and 181 packs of cigarettes
- He is charged with armed robbery, first-degree assault and a handgun violation in connection with robberies at locations on Belair Road, Wolfe Street, Harford Road and East 25th Street
- Christopher was recently released from prison for a prior armed robbery; he was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility
