Police officers from Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert teamed up to find a man wanted for robbing stores across the Valley, according to court records.
Officials said they held a meeting to "solve an armed robbery series plaguing these cities." During one of the robberies, a fingerprint was found at a Hi-Health store that was robbed. That fingerprint helped police identify the potential suspect as 46-year-old John Andrew Reid, of Mesa.
Victims were shown a photo of Reid, from which they were able to identify him as the culprit, police said.
Witnesses said Reid would enter the businesses and demand money while showing them a gun in his waistband, court documents said. He would usually steal about $300 in each crime, according to police.
Officers located Reid near Dobson and Broadway roads in Mesa on July 13 and arrested him. Police said he admitted to robbing three stores-- one in Tempe, one in Scottsdale and one in Mesa
Reid has been charged with three counts of armed robbery and four counts of kidnapping for the Tempe incidents. Additional charges from Mesa, Gilbert and Scottsdale are expected.
According to court paperwork, Reid had an active parole violation and a warrant for his arrest prior to the new charges.
