Search is on for persistent robber
The third time apparently was the charm for a robber determined to steal money Friday morning.
After being denied cash by clerks at Kwik Fill on East Maiden Street and then at Walgreens on Jefferson Avenue, both in Washington, the robber stole cash and cigarettes from a cashier at the Valero (Sunshine Food Mart) just before 8 a.m. Friday.
North Franklin Township police Sgt. Dean Urbanic said the Valero, 1390 W. Chestnut St., was robbed about 7:53 a.m. by a white man in his 50s with a stocky, medium build. Urbanic said there were no customers in the store at the time of the robbery.
“He did not brandish a handgun but postured as if he had a gun,” Urbanic said. “He kept his hand to his side, but the clerk did not see a weapon.”
The robber demanded money and cigarettes. Urbanic said the robber got an undetermined amount of cash from the register, as well as a pack of Pall Mall cigarettes.
The robber got into a silver, four-door car and fled east on West Chestnut Street toward the city. The clerk told Urbanic the robber was about 6 feet to 6 feet, 2 inches tall, wore a gray ballcap and had on dark clothing. He did not have any facial hair. City and South Strabane police assisted North Franklin police in searching the area for the robber and getaway car.
This is the second time the store was robbed in less than a month. Township police said a man robbed the store about 10 p.m. Oct. 21. That robbery is still under investigation.
City police Detective Dan Rush said they believe the man who hit the Valero on Friday also tried to rob the Kwik Fill and Walgreens. Rush said the robber went to the Kwik Fill, entered the store and demanded cash. The clerk refused to hand over any money, and the culprit fled in a silver car. A few minutes later, the robber went to Walgreens, where a clerk again refused to hand over any money. The would-be robber acted as though he had a weapons at both stores, but no weapon was seen, the detective added.
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call 911.