Suspect in 3 city convenience store holdups arrested

A 60-year-old San Francisco man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing three convenience stores in the city over the last month, authorities said.

Police Department officials said the robberies took place at three businesses — two of which were gas stations — in San Francisco on Jan. 6, Feb. 7 and Feb. 16. At least two were carried out in broad daylight.

According to police, the first robbery occurred Jan. 6 at a gas station on the 400 block of Potrero Avenue.

The second was around 1 p.m. on Feb. 7 at a gas station on the 900 block of Ocean Avenue.

In that incident, the victim stated that an unknown man entered the store, placed a candy bar on the counter, and then walked behind the counter and robbed the cashier at gunpoint.

The final robbery, on Feb. 16, occurred around 8:45 a.m. at a business located on the 1500 block of Revere Avenue.

Police identified the suspect in all three incidents as Frank Bennett of San Francisco.

A search of his residence on Beatrice Lane yielded a loaded firearm, ammunition and cash, in addition to clothing that is believed to have been worn during the three robberies.

Bennett was arrested Feb. 16 in San Bruno and transported to San Francisco County Jail.

The suspect was booked on three counts of robbery, three counts of commission of a crime with a firearm, and three counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Police officials added that he may face additional charges pending the investigation of his potential involvement in other robberies in San Francisco as well as San Mateo County.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Police Department’s 24-hour tip line at 415-575-4444, or text to TIP411 and begin the message with “SFPD.” Callers may remain anonymous.