Kent Police detectives are working with investigators from other South King County police agencies to identify and capture a pair of bandits responsible for as many as five armed robberies in the last week.

Police say the string of incidents began late in the evening on Sept. 13 in Kent, according to a Kent Police media release. A pair of men entered an east Kent convenience store brandishing a gun and demanding money.

During the robbery one of the assailants struck the store clerk with the gun producing a significant gash on his head. The victim was later treated at a local hospital.

About 45 minutes later, a second convenience store located in the north end of Kent was targeted. No one was injured in the second robbery, but the pair escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Kent detectives believe those two robberies are connected to three robberies that occurred late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Those incidents took place in Federal Way and Renton.

The involved agencies met Wednesday to compare notes, evaluate evidence and other information related to the string of crimes, and develop a plan to catch the pair.

“Our concern is for the well being of the store employees and customers present during these robberies,” said Kent Police Assistant Chief Pat Lowery. “These are dangerous crimes and we want to get these bandits in custody as soon as possible.”