ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- A Rockford man is in custody tonight after leading police on a chase through the west side.

Alex from Rockford scanner caught the capture of 40-year-old Melvin Bankhead on tape. Police say he robbed the Dollar General on North Main around 5:00 last night. He tried to escape police officers who were at the scene in his car. He hit a pedestrian and another car before he got out and started to flee on foot. Police tell us they believe Bankhead is also the suspect who robbed a Burger King a couple of weeks ago.

Rockford Police Press Release:

On January 30th, 2012, members of the Rockford Police Department were conducting a special detail in North West Rockford due to the recent armed robberies to businesses.

During the special detail, detectives observed a possible suspect at the Dollar General Store located at 3732 N. Main Street. The suspect left the business, entered the vehicle and left the area. Detectives determined the suspect had committed an armed robbery at the business.

Members of the Rockford Police Department attempted to stop the suspect vehicle. The suspect failed to stop and officers pursued the vehicle. The suspect struck a pedestrian at Rockton Avenue and Halsted Road. The pedestrian was not injured. The suspect was involved in another traffic crash at Kilburn and Gilbert Avenue. There were no injuries as a result of the traffic crash. The suspect fled on foot from the vehicle and was taken into custody after a brief struggle in the 2100 block of Kilburn Avenue. A firearm was also recovered during the incident.

Rockford Police Detectives also conducted follow up investigation into area armed robberies that may be related. The suspect was identified as :

Melvin D. Bankhead, 40 years of age, Rockford, Illinois

Bankhead was charged with the following charges for the Dollar General Store Armed Robbery and the subsequent pursuit:

Armed Robbery
Agg. Unlawful Use of Weapons
Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon
Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer
Agg. Fleeing to Elude a Police Officer
Reckless Driving
Leaving the scene of an accident (2 counts)
Operation of an uninsured vehicle.
Improper Lane Usage

Bankhead was charged with Armed Robbery to the Burger King that occurred on 01-19-12.

Following this investigation, the following cases, while not charged at this time, were cleared with the arrest of Bankhead:

Subway Armed Robbery 3009 N. Rockton Avenue on 01-21-12

Taco Bell Armed Robbery 2602 Auburn Street on 01-23-12

The charges against Bankhead are only accusations. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, a photograph of Bankhead is not being released at this time.