Police are investigating a series of robberies that were reported this week.

At 10 a.m. on Monday, July 23, a man was sitting in his van in the 2500-block of Putty Hill Avenue in Parkville (21234) when another man came up behind him, placed a knife to his side, and demanded money. The victim complied and then ran from the van to call the police.

Between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, two individuals used a hammer to break the front door glass to break into the Eastern Carroll Fuels store located in the 2900-block of Eastern Boulevard in Middle River (21220). One suspect entered and stole cigarettes and cash.

At just after 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, two individuals robbed a woman of her purse in the 1400-block of Fuselage Avenue in Middle River (21220). The purse contained a cell phone, house keys, and various personal items. One of the suspects was arrested.

At just after 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, two individuals, one armed, entered Norman’s Liquors located in the 1700-block of Eastern Boulevard in Essex (21221). One suspect opened the cash register, removed the cash, then the suspects took cash from the victims’ pockets and purse before fleeing.