7-Eleven Armed Robber Linked to Other North Shore Holdups

Police have arrested a second man now in connection to the armed robbery Sunday night at Town Variety in Peabody and say he is the main suspect in the Nov. 16 robbery at a 7-Eleven in Salem.

Dennis M. Porter, 43, of 25 Greatwoods Road, Lynn, was taken into custody without incident at Pine Grove Estates on Route 1 shortly before 10 a.m. on Wednesday on a warrant for a probation violation and a charge of armed robbery.

Glenn Roderick, 41, of 18 Elm St. #2, Peabody, was arrested on a warrant for armed robbery Monday afternoon.

Peabody police spokesman Detective Michael Crane said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon that Porter is also a suspect in similar robberies in Beverly and Danvers, and those incidents remain under investigation.

"Porter allegedly entered the store [Town Variety], brandished a weapon and demanded cash," said Crane, noting that Roderick was also charged in the same incident.

Beverly Police spokesman Dave Costa also issued a brief to media outlets, confirming Porter will be charged on two counts of armed robbery for a holdup at the Sunoco gas station on Brimbal Avenue Monday night.

"We are still finishing our investigation, but he will be charged with two counts of armed robbery for the Sunoco robbery and we expect our charges to go through sometime tomorrow," said Costa.

Salem police have already indicated that the man who held up Town Variety (allegedly Porter) is also a suspect in an armed robbery of the 7-Eleven on Norman Street on Nov. 16.

Roderick was arraigned in Peabody District Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the robbery charges. Porter is due to be arraigned in Peabody Thursday.

Crane said Peabody, Salem and Danvers police, along with the K-9 unit from the Essex County Sheriff's Department worked together on the investigation, leading to the arrests. He characterized the operation as an "extensive and intense investigation."