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3 in custody in connection with string of robberies

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Police have arrested two additional robbery suspects in connection with a string of robberies.Officers said Ervin Smith Jr., 23, and Christopher Collins, 27, were located late Wednesday. Both suspects were booked for robbery, use of a weapon to commit a felony, felony assault and possession of a firearm. The third suspect, Marcus Evans, 24, was arrested Tuesday.Evans was booked on charges of three counts of robbery, use of a weapon to commit a felony and a misdemeanor warrant. Four businesses were robbed, one on Christmas Day and the other three on New Year's Day, police said.The first took place at the Bucky's near 72nd and Maple streets just before 6 a.m. Dec. 25.Police spoke with an employee who said three black men wearing dark coats entered the store, showed a gun and demanded money. The men took money, cigarettes and lottery tickets and ran east from the scene.The second took place at the Family Dollar near 24th and Leavenworth streets around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.Police said an employee told officers that a black man wearing a knit hat, gray hooded sweatshirt and brown coat entered the business, indicated he had a weapon and demanded money. The man took cash and fled west and then south on foot.The third robbery happened at the Phillips 66 near 60th Street and Sorensen Parkway.Officers arrived around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday for a reported robbery and shots fired.Police spoke with a customer who said he had an exchange of gunfire with three robbery suspects. The individuals fled the business with an undetermined amount of cash. There were no known injuries during the incident. The suspects were described as two black men and a Hispanic man, all wearing black coats and black pants.Watch surveillance video here.The fourth and final robbery happened at the Kwik Shop near 72nd Street and Crown Point Avenue around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday.Officers spoke with an employee who said three black men wearing all black entered the business and threatened to shoot her. The men took cigarettes and lottery tickets and fled in an unknown direction.Investigators believe the individuals could be connected to the same robberies.Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 402-444-7867.