BAY CITY, Mich. -- Three Bay County businesses were robbed in the last couple of days, and investigators think the same person could be responsible.

Police said a person wielding a gun or knife held up two 7-Elevens and a BP gas station.

"It’s scary,” said store clerk Kathy Kimmel. “It’s scary for the employees, it's scary for the customers, [and] it’s scary for the neighbors who are in this area."

Kimmel heard about the armed robberies that occurred over the past few days in Bay City.

Authorities said the first one took place early Saturday morning at a 7-Eleven on Kosciuszko Avenue. The clerk said a man pulled a gun and demanded cash.

The second incident happened at another 7-Eleven on Old Kawkawlin Road near Euclid Avenue.

Sheriff’s deputies said the man was armed with a gun during that hold-up.

Police describe that person as a shorter black male, wearing a heavy black jacket and blue jeans.

A final robbery occurred early Monday morning at a BP gas station on North Euclid Avenue in Bangor Township when a clerk said a man pulled knife in the store, demanding money.

Kimmel said there are other reasons to fear an armed robber right now if a person is a store clerk.

"Even though you have top notch security -- especially with the way the roads are tore up in Bay City -- the time for the police officers to get to the calls, it's scary out there," said Kimmel.

She said she has one more advantage that could keep bad guys out of her store.

“Everybody’s more on their toes,” said Kimmel. “The neighbor’s are really watching out for us -- they’re watching who comes in, they’re watching when the employees leave -- and that makes our employees and manager and owner feel safer for their employees and their customers.”

Kimmel blames the bad economic times for people turning to crime.

“It’s desperate times,” she said. “You know the economy is so bad out there and most places now when people are looking for a job, they’re looking for a full time job and 20 hours a week is just not putting food on their table.”

Deputies said the same suspect description was given in all three situations and they believe they may be linked.