FORT WORTH, Texas – Fort Worth police say a series of credible tips came in shortly after a Fox 4 story about a series of corner store robberies.
What We Know: Police arrested 45-year-old Roderick Dennis this week, charging him with five counts of robbery.
Investigators say Dennis is responsible for five robberies across the city in less than two months.
For the first four robberies, police say Dennis used a distraction and then held the clerk at gunpoint.
Most recently, on Dec. 16, a food mart off Mansfield Highway was hit.
The store’s owner said Dennis held the clerk at gunpoint and got away with $2,000 in cash and lottery scratch off tickets.
Fox 4 aired the surveillance footage the next day.
Fort Worth police say multiple credible tips came into the department within hours. They all pointed to Dennis.
Dennis was taken into custody without incident.
He was booked in the Tarrant County jail and given a bond of more than $300,000.
What They’re Saying: Officer Tracy Carter said the release of the surveillance footage was instrumental in Dennis’ arrest.
“We were able to find a serial robber who was apprehended for five cases that, again, hopefully won’t be doing that anymore anytime soon,” Carter said.
Carter thanked the community for the tips.
“It takes that community unity to actually apprehend this person,” Carter said. “This is a great day.”
Background: Dennis has a long criminal history in Tarrant County with past charges for burglary, robbery and multiple drug charges.
Court records show Dennis violated his bond from two robbery warrants in April.
Investigators say in November, as he was committing the food store robberies, he failed to provide a urine sample for his bond conditions.
A warrant was then issued for his arrest.
