Monticello — A Wayne County man was arrested in Richmond early Thursday, April 1 in

connection with at least three recent motel robberies.

Richmond Police arrested Rodney La'Mont Porter, 39, and charged him with

first degree robbery and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Police said that Porter entered the Red Roof Inn on Bahama Court just

before 2 a.m. and robbed the clerk at gunpoint.

The suspect took the cash drawer from the register and fled the area.

The clerk provided police with a description of the robber and the

vehicle. Police say an officer spotted the suspect vehicle on East Main

Street near Irvine Road a short time later.

The officer followed the vehicle to Jason Road where police took Porter

into custody. Officers say they found money on the suspect, but did not

locate the handgun.

Investigators say that they later determined Porter was the suspect in

the robbery of a Motel 8 in Berea on Wednesday and was also suspected of

robbing a motel in Mt. Vernon days earlier.

Berea and Mt. Vernon police continue to investigate.