A domestic violence investigation leads police to a man allegedly responsible for robberies of north Phoenix Circle K stores.
Court records show that while on a domestic violence call, police are tipped off that the suspect may have also been responsible for Circle K robberies, where he reportedly used fireworks as a weapon.
Police say on June 14 they were called to a home near 24th Street and Shea Boulevard. The woman accused her boyfriend, 18-year-old Nicholas Murphy of assaulting her.
Police say witnesses to the argument reported to police that they believed Murphy may have been responsible for the robberies of Circle K stores in the area.
Police say that on May 22 around 1:40 a.m. two masked suspects entered the Circle K near Tatum Boulevard and Greenway Road. They detonated fireworks behind the counter of the store, threatening and distracting the clerk long enough for the two steal cartons of cigarettes.
Police report that three hours later the duo hit another Circle K near Cave Creek and Cactus roads and stole more cigarettes, about $140 worth, in a similar manner.
After getting the tip from the witnesses, police reviewed surveillance video from the robberies and saw that Murphy matched the suspect description, had the same tattoos as one of the suspects and was also wearing the same type of red athletic shoes.
Murphy has been charged with 2 counts of aggravated robbery.
