Authorities believe three strong-arm robberies at local drug stores are connected. Investigators said a man has targeted three stores in less than 24 hours.

Stalling police arrested Daren Michael Williamson on Thursday afternoon at his home in Stallings after they said someone there called 911 about a domestic dispute.

Authorities said they had already identified Williamson as a suspect after he crashed a rental car during his flight from police in Matthews.

Investigators told Channel 9 they found additional evidence inside his home that led to an arrest on multiple counts of common law robbery.

Detectives in Matthews worked with Stallings police and the Union County Sheriff's Office to compare surveillance video from the three crime scenes.

Police said the crime spree started Wednesday morning in Stallings, where a man walked in wearing pajama pants and slippers and grabbed cash from the register. He ran from the store before officers could track him down.

Then, less than 14 hours later, around 1:30 a.m., deputies said a man with a similar description tried to grab money from the clerk at a Walgreens in Indian Trail. Investigators said the cashier managed to slam the drawer shut before the suspect could get the cash, and he ran out.

Less than 30 minutes later, police in Matthews responded to another strong-arm robbery at a CVS. Officers chased the suspect from the scene until he crashed his car at Sardis Road. Police said he ran from the car into a nearby neighborhood.

"For safety reasons, of course, we wanted to get him off the streets," said Cpl. Lori Valdes with Stallings Police.

Investigators would not comment on a potential motive for the alleged crime spree, but did say the nature of the crimes was unique.

"It's unusual to have someone go into a store and just try to grab money and run," said Chief Deputy Ben Bailey with the Union County Sheriff's Office.

Williamson remains in the Union County Jail. He does have a minor criminal record that includes arrests for driving with a revoked license and assault on a female.