AUBURN — A transient was arrested Tuesday night, in connection with the robbery of a Center Street convenience store, police said.

Shawn Small Submitted photo

Shawn Small, 24, was found hiding in an apartment on Vernon Street after a police dog followed a trail from the Circle K store at 21 Center St., according to a statement released Wednesday by Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle.

A clerk at the store described a male wearing a blue mask had entered the store, brandished a handgun and demanded money from the register. The clerk handed over money and the man fled across Center Street and up Whitney Street around 9 p.m., Cougle said.

An Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was on duty and called in to track the suspect, which led police to the apartment on Vernon Street, Cougle said.

Police found a BB gun and clothing believed to have been used in the robbery while searching the apartment, Cougle said.

Small was arrested on outstanding warrants and taken to the Auburn Police Department for questioning.

He admitted to having committed the robbery at that store earlier in the evening. He also admitted to having robbed the same store Aug. 31, Cougle said.

Small was charged with two counts of robbery, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison as well as two counts of theft, felonies that carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison apiece.

Small was being held Wednesday at Androscoggin County Jail on $50,000 cash bail.