A Dedham man has been arrested in connection with the investigation of more than 20 armed robberies at Dunkin’ Donuts shops in the greater Boston area, Canton police said this afternoon.

Isaiah Murphy was taken into custody at 2:40 p.m. Murphy is to be arraigned Wednesday in Stoughton District Court on armed robbery charges, said Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz.

Berkowitz said evidence had been found that “specifically linked Mr. Murphy to the crimes of armed robbery at several of the Dunkin’ Donuts.’’

Asked if anyone else was believed to be involved, Berkowitz said, “The investigation is still ongoing. We are actively looking … at all other leads.’’


Berkowitz said police believed Murphy had a past connection to Dunkin’ Donuts “possibly as an employee’’ but said Murphy did not have a vendetta against the company.

“He was familiar with the operation and took advantage of that,’’ said Berkowitz. He said police believed Murphy’s motive was money.

Berkowitz said Murphy didn’t get “a ton of money’’ from any of the robberies he allegedly committed but it became a “substantial’’ sum when it was all added up.

He said the robberies posed a danger to patrons and workers and were a priority for police due to the frequency and “desperation’’ of the crimes.

“We wanted to get him off the street as quickly as possible,’’ said Berkowitz. “We’re happy it ended the way it did.’’

Lindsay Harrington, public relations manager for Dunkin’ Brands Inc., issued a statement, saying “We are gratified to learn that the Canton police have arrested a suspect in connection with the string of robberies at Dunkin’ Donuts in the Greater Boston area. We are grateful for the diligent police work that led to this arrest.’’

Law enforcement agencies searched Murphy’s residence at 10 a.m. today using a warrant issued after “weeks of intense investigation’’ of the Dunkin’ Donuts robberies, police said in a statement. After evidence was found, police sought and received an arrest warrant. Berkowitz said Murphy was arrested without incident.


Berkowitz said police had been eyeing Murphy as a suspect for several months.

Murphy is being held at the Canton police station pending his court appearance. Two of the doughnut shop robberies occurred in Canton.

Joining Canton police in the search were the FBI, Boston police, the regional task force known by the acronym of NORPAC, and other agencies, police said.