EVERETT — An Everett man thought to be behind a string of convenience store robberies from Shoreline to Snohomish told police he’d learned his lesson, asked them for forgiveness and promised never to do it again.
Prosecutors weren’t persuaded and charged Raesi Mahray on Thursday with three counts of first-degree robbery.
Investigators believe that Mahray, 20, was responsible for more than a dozen hold-ups that began Nov. 28 and lasted until his Jan. 16 arrest.
Mahray is accused of robbing two and sometimes three stores in a single day, likely using an electric razor as his weapon and claiming it was a gun, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Janice Albert wrote.
The robberies happened in the early morning hours. Prosecutors allege that Mahray wore the same clothing during each robbery.
He would bring a plastic bag, threaten that he had a gun in the pocket of a gray hooded sweatshirt and demand money, Albert wrote.
Snohomish police caught up with him after they staked out several different convenience stores in town. A 7-Eleven had already been robbed Nov. 30 and they were concerned the robber would return, Albert wrote.
The officers saw Mahray drive into a parking lot between a fast-food restaurant and an AM/PM store. They watched Mahray get out of his car, pull up the hood on his sweatshirt and head toward the store, court papers said.
Once inside, Mahray asked the clerk if he was still selling beer. The clerk said no and Mahray left the store. Then the Snohomish officers arrested him.
He had a plastic bag and an electric razor in his pockets.
Investigators say Mahray was caught on surveillance tape at numerous convenience stores. He denied being the robber but later told police that he was out of work and needed the money, Albert wrote.
He told police the money was still in his car. Officers found cash and plastic bags in Mahray’s car, court papers said.
Investigators believe he is responsible for 14 robberies. He has no prior convictions.
He told investigators he is from northeastern Africa and has been living in the U.S. since 2004. Mahray posted $250,000 bail and is out of custody.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.
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