In the past month, WTAP has reported on six armed robberies in Wood and Washington Counties.

We asked authorities if they've noticed an increase in these crimes.

There have been three armed robberies in Pakersburg in the past month. There were 3 in all of 2008.

Two days before Christmas, someone robbed the Dairy Queen in Parkersburg. Six days later a 7-11 in the city limits was hit. A couple of weeks later on January 14, someone robbed the Dollar General.

"The economy is down. There are a lot of things that are going to be blamed on the economy, but we also have a lot of reason to believe that these are drug-related. People want money for drugs. it's just that simple," says Parkersburg Police Chief Gerald Board.

The same day the Dollar General was robbed, someone robbed the Microtel Hotel in Mineral Wells. Last week the Must be 21 to Enter in Wood County was hit.

Saturday, someone robbed the Peoples News in Belpre at gunpoint.

But Sheriffs in Wood and Washington counties say they haven't seen an abnormal spike in armed robberies. Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks says one spike he has seen, is in drugs.

"That's been up huge because usually we were running back in the early 2000's 10-15 cases a year. Now we're running about 150 a year or something like that," says Sheriff Mincks.

It's not just armed robberies that are up. Officials say they've also seen a jump in breaking and enterings and thefts.

Parkersburg Police Chief Gerald Board is asking people to be vigilant about looking their doors to the cars and homes. He also is reminding people to not keep valuables in plain sight in their cars.

Marietta police say they have not seen an increase in armed robberies in their jurisdiction.