ELKHART — Police say three more robberies reported at local businesses during the past two days could have been the work of the same person and be connected to several more robberies in Elkhart.

The targeted businesses included Clark Gas Station, 600 W. Bristol St.; 7Eleven, 1417 S. Nappanee St.; and Dairy Queen, 206 W. Jackson Blvd., according to a news release.

Police said a man entered Clark Gas Station at about 8:43 p.m. Sunday and made a small purchase, but when the cash register was open, he demanded money. The man had one of his hands in his coat pocket and pointed some type of object at the clerk before receiving the cash and fleeing to the north.

A man also entered 7-Eleven at about midnight Sunday night and again made a small purchase and demanded money when the cash register was open. Witnesses said he had his hand in a position on his waistline as if he had a gun, and when he took the money, he fled from the store to the west.

In the third incident, a man entered Dairy Queen at about 4:35 p.m. Monday and demanded money from the cash register when an employee attempted to take his order. He then threatened to use a gun if she didn’t cooperate. When he took the money, he fled to the west, police said.

In all three robberies, the suspect was described as a white male, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a thin build and either a gray or dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. The man also threatened to use a gun or acted as if he had a gun in each of the robberies, police said.

Investigators believe the man now might be connected to eight Elkhart robberies, police said. Anyone with information should contact the Elkhart Police Department at (574) 295-7070 or Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-7867 (288-STOP).