A pair of alleged robbers involved in two separate cases will continue to stay behind bars while their trials move through the court system.

Anthony Bakker, 37, appeared in Port Coquitlam provincial court via video link Thursday.

His case was adjourned until Jan. 17 for a bail hearing.

Police believe Bakker is the suspect behind a string of lotto-ticket robberies in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam in December.

He's facing three charges of robbery with a weapon and one count of theft.

Coquitlam Mounties said a suspect was arrested Jan. 4 as he allegedly attempted to steal a handful of lottery tickets and flee from a liquor store.

The RCMP first asked for the public's help in catching the suspect prior to Christmas.

Investigators believe the suspect is behind as many as eight convenience store robberies of scratch lotto tickets in the Tri-Cities.

The robberies took place during a two-week span between Nov. 29 and Dec. 13.

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In a separate case, the suspect in a string of robberies in the Austin Heights business area also made an appearance in provincial court via video link.

Ryan Sheldon McClinton, 28, has been in custody since he was arrested in early November.

He is due back in court for a bail hearing on Feb. 7.

McClinton is facing 22 charges related to the Austin Heights robberies, including seven for robbery, seven for using an imitation firearm while committing an offence, seven for using a disguise with intent to commit an offence and one of possession of stolen property.

The first of a string of robberies began at the start of August. The suspect originally targeted a coffee shop, store and pharmacy.

In one case, the suspect may have brandished a gun. A week later, a suspect targeted four other businesses.

In all, police believe the same suspect was responsible for a total of nine robberies, linking the incidents based on suspect appearance. The thief wore a hoodie, balaclava and gloves during the mid-summer robberies.

Investigators caught a break in the case after an Oct. 28 robbery where the suspect left a backpack behind at the scene.

That backpack revealed clues that eventually led to the arrest of McClinton.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com