The search is on for three men who robbed two 7-Elevens at gunpoint on the South Shore early Wednesday morning, police said.
The two armed robberies, which took place in Norwell and Quincy about 20 minutes apart, are believed to be related, Quincy police said Thursday, noting that a car crash is believed to be related as well.
A blue car fled from a police stop on Liberty Street in Quincy shortly after the robbery there, then crashed into a fire hydrant and telephone pole, officials said. The people inside ran off.
"A little while later a car was reported stolen, so we believe it was the same suspects," Quincy Police Capt. Daniel Guarente.
Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.
No arrests were announced as of Thursday afternoon.
The first robbery, at a 7-Eleven on Washington Street in Norwell, was reported about 4:18 a.m. Wednesday, according to local police.
A man who was working at the time, who only wanted to be identified by his first name, said all the three of the robbers were young and sounded like they were speaking Spanish. They demanded all of the dollar bills in the cash register while pointing a gun at his head.
"They walk out and they tell me, 'If you follow us, we're going to shoot you,'" Mohammed said.
The three men were around 5 feet, 9 inches tall and left the area in a black sedan traveling towards Hingham, police said.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
About 20 minutes later, men fitting the same description walked into a 7-Eleven on Franklin Street in Quincy and robbed the clerk at gunpoint, according to Quincy police, who were able to confirm Thursday the two robberies are connected.
Mohammed said he's thankful to be alive: "God saved my life. There was nobody there, just me and them."
Local Anthony Murray, who used to work with Mohammed at the 7-Eleven, said it was surprising that a robbery took place there.
"Everything is really smooth working in the store before. Never had any problems. Never had anybody threaten you, let alone try to rob you," he said.
"Somebody put the gun on the head, all you are thinking about is, 'I am going to die at any time.' You don't have choice. Maybe to save yourself," Mohammed said.
With his life spared and slightly nervous to return to work, Mohammed said he wants these men behind bars.
"I want them to be arrested because the store is 24/7," he said. "Otherwise, they'll go to another store again…so very dangerous for the community."
