CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Three Charlotte business were robbed at gunpoint Thursday night.

Police say the robbers struck about 20 minutes apart, using the same routine each time. They walked into a store, pulled a gun and demanded money.

The two men were captured in action at their last stop. A security camera in the Circle K across from UNC-Charlotte took their pictures. Both photographs show the suspects using towels to try and cover part of their faces.

"We had a series of robberies last night -- all of them from business, all of them two suspects. The descriptions are very similar in all three robberies," said Sgt. Kevin Barbee with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Within the span of an hour -- from 7:47 to 8:43 p.m. -- the robbers hit Dunkin' Donuts in the 5600 block of North Tryon Street, Subway in the 8500 block of University City and the Circle K, also located on University City Drive.

"What happens is these guys just get on a roll and they decide they are going to get paid and they go out here and do a series of robberies," Barbee said.

Police have not said how much money was taken at each stop.

In one of the surveillance photos, a suspect is seen pointing a gun at one of the clerks. No one was hurt during the robberies.

"Armed robbery is a violent crime," Barbee said. "Anytime you use a weapon to take something from somebody there is always the potential for violence."

Police are hoping that someone will recognize the men in photos and give them a call before these suspects strike again. Call 704-334-1600.