A 44-year-old Rochedale South man has been charged by Wynnum District Criminal Investigation Branch/Detectives in relation to five armed robberies in the Metropolitan South Region between August 27 and 30 last year.

On August 27, a service station and a video store on Shore Street West, Cleveland, were both allegedly held up by a man threatening staff with a syringe at 7pm and 8.15pm respectively. The man made off with sums of cash from both incidents.

A video store on Birkdale Road, Birkdale, was also allegedly held up by a man armed with a syringe at 8.50pm on August 29.

The following evening it will be alleged the same man entered an Old Cleveland Road, Carina, service station around 10pm and threatened the attendant with a syringe.

At 11pm that night, it is also alleged a man entered a Redland Bay Road, Capalaba, service station and threatened the attendant.

The man allegedly fled with a sum of cash from each incident. No one was physically injured during these incidents.

“Wynnum Detectives conducted a prolonged and exhaustive investigation that eventually resulted in this arrest, said Acting Officer in Charge of the Wynnum District CIB, Justin Suffolk.

“The investigation was recently aided by information from the public, which again highlights the importance of public assistance and vigilance.”

The 44-year-old has been charged with five counts each of armed robbery, deprivation of liberty and enter premise with intent to commit and indictable offence.

He is due to reappear before the Cleveland Magistrates Court on August 16, 2011.