Four people are stabbed in a Massachusetts cinema, in the United States

A man was taken into custody on suspicion of stabbing four girls, aged 9 to 17, at a cinema in the city of Braintree, Massachusetts, in the United States. Police are investigating whether another stabbing, at a fast food chain, is related to the case.

According to authorities, the two attacks occurred about an hour apart in different cities.

“Without saying anything and without any warning, he suddenly attacked and stabbed the four young women,” police said. “After the attack, the man ran out of the theater and left in a vehicle.”

The girls were taken to Boston hospitals for treatment of their injuries. All four victims are expected to survive.

Police discovered that the attacker had left the theater in what appeared to be a black SUV. Video images allowed the capture of the plate.

According to officials, a vehicle matching the description was “allegedly involved in a similar attack in Plymouth,” which is about a 30-minute drive south of the city of Braintree.

About an hour after the first attack, police were called to an alleged stabbing at a McDonald's in Plymouth, according to a Massachusetts State Police news release. A 21-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were attacked and taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

“The preliminary investigation suggests a likely connection to an earlier incident at a movie theater in Braintree resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to four juveniles,” state police said.

Massachusetts State Police pursued the vehicle, which ended in a crash in Sandwich, about a 25-minute drive south of Plymouth.

The suspect, who has not been identified, is being treated at an area hospital. The investigation remains “active and ongoing” by state and local police, the statement said.

An employee told CNN that the theater was closed shortly after the incident.