CHICO, Calif. - Chico police detectives have arrested a suspect they believe is connected to a string of armed robberies over the past month.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Andrew Martin Shephard, 36, of Chico, could be the main suspect.

On March 15, detectives spotted Shephard riding a bicycle and also learned that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from an unrelated incident.
Shephard was arrested and taken to the Chico Police Department. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Shepard's home in an attempt to link him to the robberies. After the search, detectives had enough evidence to book him on three counts of armed robbery and a single count of attempted robbery.
The first robbery occurred on Feb. 17, at the 7-11 store on 1st Street and Main Street. During that robbery, the suspect entered the business with a firearm and demanded cash.
Throughout the next month after that first incident, authorities investigated three additional robberies at three different businesses in Chico.
The last robbery incident was an attempted robbery at the Safeway gas station on East Avenue. In that incident, the suspect also entered the store armed with a handgun and demanded cash.
Authorities were able to link Shephard to the robberies. He was booked into Butte County Jail.