Charly Haley

chaley@dmreg.com

After an eight-month investigation, Des Moines police arrested four people in connection to a string of armed robberies earlier this year, police said.

The suspects face federal charges. A fifth suspect was also arrested on federal narcotics charges, according to a Des Moines police news release.

The suspects are: Alexander Ray Hamilton, 25, Sarah Victoria Coe, 20, Shelly Shannon Avery, 21, Chris Brian Avery, 24, and Luke Martin Jr., 56.

The 17 robberies occurred between March 17 and April 17 at Git-N-Go and Kum and Go gas stations, Hy-Vee grocery stores and at one bank, according to the news release.

Who's robbing all those Git-N-Go stores?

The suspects were charged in federal court with the following crimes:

Alexander Hamilton:

conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery

conspiracy to distribute controlled substances

interference with commerce by robbery

distribution of controlled substances

attempted interference with commerce by robbery

bank robbery

use of a communication facility

Sarah Coe:

conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery

interference with commerce by robbery

bank robbery

Shelly Avery:

interference with commerce by robbery

Chris Avery:

conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery

interference with commerce by robbery

use of a communication facility

Luke Martin:

distribution of controlled substances

There are no additional arrests expected, according to the news release. The Des Moines Police Department partnered with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for this investigation.