Fairbanks police investigate robberies with similar suspect

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- Fairbanks police are investigating two robberies that occurred within 24 hours and had a similar suspect.

An armed robber held a travel agent at gunpoint Monday evening before he apparently panicked and fled. Police Detective Randy Coffey said a witness in an apartment above Progressive World Travel heard the downstairs door slam and saw a red Ford Explorer drive away.

The suspect is described as a black man, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He was wearing an Army fatigue jacket with the hood up and a black scarf over his face. He also wore black gloves and jeans.

That description matches that of a robber who held up the Klondike Inn just after midnight Monday. A long-barreled handgun was used in both hold-ups.