2:40 p.m. UPDATE: Suspect charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Phinney hid behind a chalkboard during his arraignment. He's being held without bail; he's due back in court on Nov. 14.
(NECN: Jackie Bruno: Saugus, Mass) - Saugus, Mass. Police confirm a suspect is in custody following a robbery at a Dunkin' Donuts store.
Police have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Vyacheslav Phinney. He will be charged with armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon
The call came in about 3:00 Thursday morning on Route 1 at Essex Street.
Employees say the suspect barged through the door demanding money. He had a knife, but thankfully no one was hurt.
Customers say they feel for these employees who have had to put up with the repeated robberies.
Natalie Lorge of Saugus said, “That is so scary. I can’t even imagine what they’re going through. I’ve worked in a food establishment before and I’m just glad everybody's alright.”
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Brian Poussard of Salem said, “I don't know how they do it sometimes, people that work at a Dunkin’ Dounts or a 7-11 or something like that. I would do it, but people have to eat, you know?”
Police are not saying if this robbery is connected to the nearly two dozen robberies at Dunkin' Donuts stores in the last few months.
