An Essex man was arrested Friday morning for allegedly robbing a Perry Hall Rite Aid at gunpoint. Police released his identity on Monday.

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At about 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 28, police say Steven Scott Gardner approached the store's pharmacy, carrying a handgun and a smoke grenade. He took money and prescription drugs from the pharmacy before leaving the store and driving away, said Detective Cathy Batton, a Baltimore County police spokeswoman.

Shortly after the incident, police said they spotted a vehicle matching a witness' description near the Double-T Diner at the intersection of Belair Road and Joppa Road. Gardner, 47, of the 1200 block of Marlyn Avenue, was the only person in the vehicle, Batton said. 

Gardner was arrested and charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of handgun on person and one count of possession of a destructive device, court records show.

He is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on $750,000 bail.

The Rite Aid incident was the second of three armed robberies reported in the Perry Hall area last week. A man robbed the Tobacco Stop in the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center at gunpoint on Thursday evening, police said. 

On Saturday afternoon, a man armed with a knife attempted to rob Liquor World along Belair Road, according to police. The store owner shot at the robber in defense and one suspect was later arrested.

Batton said police are investigating if the incidents are related.

"There is a trend that we are aware of and we are using all available resources to pursue suspects," she said.

Anyone with information on recent robberies is encouraged to call Baltimore County police at 410-307-2020.

Do you think the three most recent armed robberies are related? Tell us in the comments.