Police investigating robberies of Mass, NH donut shops on National Donut Day
WINDHAM, N.H. - Police are investigating robberies of donut shops in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that occurred on "National Donut Day."
Windham, New Hampshire police said in a statement they became aware of "multiple robberies" early Friday morning at donut chain restaurants along the Mammoth Road corridor. Responding officers tried to stop a red Toyota Camry that matched a suspect vehicle description, but it sped away, police said.
While looking for the car, police were told about an unarmed robbery at the Honey Dew Donuts in Windham committed by a man matching the description of a suspect in the earlier robberies.
Employees reported that a white man wearing a surgical mask approached the drive-thru window on foot.
"When the window was opened by a worker, the suspect grabbed the tip jar and a short struggle ensued for control of the jar," police said. "The suspect was able to take the jar and fled the area in the red Toyota Camry."
In Pelham, police shared a surveillance photo of what they said was the theft of a tip jar from a Dunkin' on Mammoth Road.
"While we were on the way over to our Mammoth Road area by our Dunkin' Donuts, we got a call for someone that stole a tip jar and took off," said Pelham, New Hampshire Police Sgt. Matt Keenliside. "It sounds like it's linked to crimes in other communities potentially, and a similar suspect and vehicle description they had."
Dracut police said a white man in shorts and flip flops walked into Heav'nly Donuts on Merrimack Ave just after 5:30 a.m., and handed a note to workers "indicating that he had a weapon."
"The suspect then attempted to take the cash register but was unsuccessful, and was believed to have subsequently fled the scene on foot," police said. "Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect."
They also learned that about a half hour earlier, someone smashed a front glass door at Muldoon Liquors on Pleasant Street and stole lottery tickets.
Lowell police are also among the communities investigating the string of incidents.
Donut chains and many local shops offered deals and specials on National Donut Day. Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call police.
