Citizens Assist in Capture of Suspect in String of 6 Cedar Rapids Robberies in 4 Hours

Some quick-thinking citizens helped police apprehend a suspect in six robberies this morning while he was making a getaway. 

Cedar Rapids police have charged a man with five counts of first-degree robbery for a string of robberies early Monday morning, including one not far from Marion.

A police news release connects Rayshawn Cribbs, 24, with six robbery incidents between 2:30 a.m. and 6:50 a.m. today, including the final one at Kwik Shop, at 4201 Center Point Road NE, which is about three miles from Marion.

At the Kwik Shop, which was the final stop, police say a black male with a green or gray jacket entered the store, displayed a handgun and took small bottles of alcohol. After leaving the store, he ran across Center Point Road in front of a marked police car, and after looking at the officers he tossed the items he took including the gun and ran.

He circled and crossed Center Point Road NE a second time, when two motorists pulled their vehicles in front of the subject in an attempt to slow him down.

"This did help allow officers to close the distance," according to a Cedar Rapids Police news release. "Officers were able to apprehend with the assistance of the Electronic Control Device in the Clark’s Pharmacy Parking lot."

Cribbs is being held at Linn County Jail. First-degree robbery is a Class B felony, which is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

From Cedar Rapids police:

The Cedar Rapids Police Department arrested Rayshawn Cribbs, 4/22/89, At Large and has charged him with Robbery 1^st  X 5. Through their investigation, officers were able to charge him with the robberies at all of the locations except at Hometown Inn and Suites.

He was taken to Linn County Jail. Robbery 1st is a Class B Felony punishable of up to 25 years in the penitentiary.

The time line of the robberies is as follows:

At 2:30 am, the Casey’s at 3349 Mt Vernon Rd SE was robbed when a black male, bald, facial hair, wearing a green coat, entered the store and displayed a handgun. He left westbound from the store with an undetermined amount of money.

At 3:15 am, the Hometown Inn and Suites at 3315 Southgate Ct SW was robbed when a black male with a bandana over his face entered the business. He took an undisclosed amount of money and left in an unknown direction. No gun was displayed. .

At 4:45 am, the Casey’s at 20 Miller Ave SW was robbed when a black male, thin build, in his 30’s, with facial hair, wearing a green coat entered the store. He displayed a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of money. He left westbound from the store.

At 5:05 am, the Casey’s at 3625 Edgewood Rd SW was robbed when a black male in a green or gray jacket entered the store and displayed a handgun. He took an undisclosed amount of money and left eastbound from the store.

At 6:00 am, the Kum and Go at 2504 16 Ave SW was robbed when a black male with a green jacket, with facial hair, entered the store and displayed a hand gun. He left with an undisclosed amount of money northbound from the store.

At 6:50 am, the Kwik Shop at 4201 Center Pt. Rd NE was robbed when a black male with a green or gray jacket entered the store. He displayed a handgun and took small bottles of alcohol. He left east bound from the store. He ran across Center Pt Rd in front of a marked police car. He looked at police officers and threw the items he took including the gun and ran from police. He ran behind Wendy’s and circled back towards the store. As he was crossing Center Pt. Rd NE for the second time, 2 motorists pulled their vehicles in front of the subject in an attempt to slow him down. This did help allow officers to close the distance. Officers were able to apprehend with the assistance of the Electronic Control Device in the Clark’s Pharmacy Parking lot.

At the time of this release, his identity cannot be confirmed as he had no identity in his possession. He was taken to a local hospital to be checked from the ECD and then to Linn County Jail. His fingerprints will confirm his identity and his name will be released at that time.

The Cedar Rapids Police have not had this number of robberies in this short amount of time. It is unknown at this time if the same individual committed all of the robberies. This is an ongoing investigation. 

If you have information regarding this or any crime, call Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463) or text to CRIMES (274637) and in the message/subject, type 5227 and your tip. You can continue to trade information with an investigator. Text STOP to opt out at any time.

If the information you give, leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward. All calls are anonymous.