Police charge suspect in robbery at store

A 56-year-old Lawrence man has been charged with robbing a convenience store during the weekend.

Prosecutors on Monday charged Charles E. Smith, 1200 N.Y., with one count of aggravated robbery. He was being held in the Douglas County Jail on $30,000 bond.

Lawrence Police arrested him Sunday with help of surveillance video taken during a robbery around 1:45 a.m. Saturday at Presto, 2330 Iowa.

According to a report, a man came into the store and demanded money. The clerk, 26, told police the man didn’t show a weapon but kept his hand in his pocket.

Kwik Shop, 1846 Mass., was robbed Nov. 16 in a similar manner, according to a police report. Robberies also have been reported this month at Diane’s Liquor, 1806 Mass., and 23rd Street Liquor, 945 E. 23rd St.

Lawrence Police Department spokeswoman Kim Murphree said officers were investigating whether the crimes are related.

At his first court appearance, Smith told District Court Judge Pro Tem Peggy Kittel that he has been bedridden from a back injury.