Man arrested in connection with two Largo robberies

LARGO -- A 49-year-old Largo man was arrested today and faces charges in two strong-armed robberies over the weekend, police say.

Michael James Benjamin, of 13216 120 Lane N, was charged with robbing a 7-Eleven about 2 a.m. Saturday and a Publix at 12:35 p.m. Sunday.

At the 7-Eleven, at 11777 131st St., police said Benjamin entered the store, led the clerk to believe he had a knife and ran after receiving an undisclosed amount of cash. He did the same thing at the Publix, at 857 West Bay Drive, officials said.

Both holdups were captured on video, and officers thought they recognized the thief as Benjamin. His photo, along with those of other men, were shown to victims and witnesses of the robberies, and they identified Benjamin as the robber too, officials said.

- Times staff writer