
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 25, 1993                   TAG: 9311250263
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D6   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DRUG PHOTO BRINGS ARREST IN ROBBERIES

A photo from a drug raid two months ago led police Wednesday to a man who is suspected of robbing a half-dozen women store clerks in broad daylight the past three months.

Robert Diaz, 29, of the 3100 block of Lynwood Road Northwest was charged with three robbery counts in Salem after his arrest Wednesday morning by Salem and Roanoke police.

Roanoke police Wednesday afternoon said they were obtaining warrants charging him with three counts of robbery and use of firearm in commission of a felony. Police also said they were obtaining an attempted rape warrant for Diaz after one of the women said he tried to molest her before fleeing.

Diaz was being held in the Roanoke County Jail on $50,000 bond.

Diaz was working as a maintenance worker at the Hurt Park public housing complex when he was taken into custody around 11:30 a.m.

On two occasions, once in Salem and once in Roanoke, a man matching his description struck again at a store he had previously robbed, police said.

Salem Police Sgt. David Rhodenizer said witnesses identified Diaz from a photograph taken by the Roanoke Police Department vice squad.

Police said the suspect often told his victims to count backward from 30 and urged them to call police.

by CNB