Just hours before an armed man robbed a Riverstone Citgo of $500 and a soda, Canton Police believe he may have committed a similar crime in Blue Ridge.

On Oct. 25, the Canton Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspect and the SUV used in the Oct. 23 robbery.

The agency hoped the public would assist it in finding the white male suspect, shown wearing a black leather type jacket, dark pants or jeans, a light colored button-up shirt and white tennis shoes.

Police still have not caught up with the man, police spokeswoman Candy Worthy said.

But "after we sent the info and photos out to the media," she said, "Blue Ridge Police contacted us and informed us that they also had a similar crime occur in their jurisdiction."

The Canton armed robbery occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. The Blue Ridge armed robbery occurred at the McKinney Marathon gas station at about 4:10 p.m. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and a beer, Worthy said.

Photos from Blue Ridge show what "appears to be the same suspect," she said. "White male wearing a leather type jacket with the same hat, etc. We do believe it is the same person."

However, the cars in photos from both robberies are different. In the Blue Ridge incident, the suspect appears to drive away in a passenger car. The suspect in the Canton robbery drove a newer model SUV.

If you have information, call Canton Police Det. Dan Combs at 770-720-4883. Anonymous tipsters can call 770-345-4189.