Lakewood residents are breathing easier this morning, after police arrested an armed thug, who may have been responsible for two armed robberies in just 24 hours.

The first robbery was on Monday night, at Forest Avenue and 2nd Street. The second robbery was on Tuesday night at around 9:00PM, and occurred on Lexington Avenue. In both incidents the suspect displayed a gun and demanded money, and made off with both victims wallets.

Shortly after the second incident, with police canvassing the streets, one officer noticed a man fitting the description of the suspect riding a bicycle on Monmouth Avenue and 3rd Street. The man fled on foot after being told to stop, and a brief foot pursuit ensued. He was apprehended a few moments later, and after a brief search, officers found a firearm that the suspect threw on the floor while being chased.

Detectives are working to determine if he is the suspect who perpetrated both crimes.

(Eli Gefen – YWN / With reporting by TLS)