A man accused by police of two retail robberies in New Toronto is behind bars.

Hold Up Squad officers have arrested a man following the robberies that occurred in the Kipling Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area.

Police allege the suspect entered a store on March 15 with a mask on, and his hood over his head, in an attempt to conceal his identity.

“The man approached the checkout counter and made a demand for cash while pretending to purchase some merchandise,” police said in a release. “After a short interaction with employees, the man fled the scene empty-handed.”

Police allege the man returned on March 17 and took items from the shelves and was approached and  asked to pay for the items.

Police alleged the suspect ‘pulled out a knife and threatened the employee.”

Officers said the suspect then ‘grabbed a bottle of windshield fluid off the shelf and broke the store window with it.”

The man fled on a bicycle.

The suspect was in possession of a knife and items from the robbery when arrested.

The man was arrested on March 18 and was charged with seven criminal charges; including robbery, robbery with a weapon. Two counts of disguise with intent, weapons dangerous.

The accused, Patrick Evangeliste-Tavernier, 33, of Toronto, was slated to make a court appearance on March 18.