Two masked men robbed the Quick Buys convenience store in Bainbridge on Thursday night, the latest in a string of armed robberies in Decatur County.

The two robbers, dressed in all black clothing, ski masks and gloves, came into the store at about 9:45 p.m. Thursday. They held up the store at gunpoint, taking cash before fleeing on foot. One of the store clerk’s wrist was handcuffed to the left front of the store.

Sheriff’s deputies, Bainbridge Public Safety officers and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation all responded to the store. Crime scene investigators with the Sheriff’s Office processed the store and surrounding area for clues.

Other stores that were recently robbed and the date they occurred include the following: Quick Buys on Georgia 97 South, July 9; Kangaroo on U.S. 27 North, July 16; Quick Buys in Climax, Sept. 7; Junior Mall on South Scott Street, Sept. 12; Kangaroo on U.S. 27 North, Oct. 2; The Winery on Louise Street, Oct. 8.

Law enforcement have arrested suspects in armed robberies occurring June 9 at Mr. Pip’s on U.S. 27 North and Aug. 31 at the Quick Change in Attapulgus. The Quick Buys on Old Whigham Dairy Road was also robbed in December 2008, although three suspects have been charged in that case.

Some of the unsolved robberies—which police believe may be connected—have involved just one robber, while others have had two robbers. In three of the robberies, the robbers had or used handcuffs. A black and silver semi-automatic handgun has been seen by witnesses in more than one of the robberies.

Anyone with information on any of the robberies can call the Sheriff’s Office at 248-3044 or Bainbridge Public Safety at 248-2038. Tips can be made anonymously. Anyone who sees suspicious activity around a store or place of business should call 911.

Kitchen fire at prison on Friday

A small kitchen fire occurred at the Decatur County Prison in West Bainbridge shortly after noon on Friday, according to Bainbridge Public Safety.

BPS firefighter Jeff Kelly, who arrived at the prison first due to coming from the West Bainbridge Fire Station, said there were no flames visible when he entered the kitchen area. Smoke coming from the kitchen’s stove had set off three overhead fire extinguishers, putting a large amount of water on the floor, Kelly said.

No one was injured from the fire and other Public Safety officers secured the prison’s exterior.