The Metropolitan Police Department has detained a 25-year-old man, Christopher Baker, in connection to a spree of armed business robberies that have taken place across Northeast D.C. over the past week. According to a press release from MPD, the arrest occurred after heightened police vigilance was prompted by the pattern of robberies concentrated in the Fifth District.
On Friday, Baker was apprehended after reportedly attempting to rob an establishment on the 1500 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northeast, with employees refusing to cave to his demands. Fleeing without any loot, officers promptly managed to catch Baker, charging him with Assault with Intent to Commit Robbery while Armed. Running with a knife, the officers observed Baker shortly after he fled the failed robbery effort.
Further investigation linked Baker to additional incidents involving similarly aggressive tactics. These robberies, which took place between January 1 and January 9, involved Baker allegedly entering businesses armed with a knife and demanding cash before making a quick exit. Details released by the Metropolitan Police recount the series of events, noting various locations along Rhode Island Avenue and Mount Olivet Road where Baker is suspected of striking. Baker now faces multiple charges for these armed robberies in addition to the initial count of assault with intent to rob.
