Police seek lone gunman, burglars in two incidents
By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
April 24, 2001
Meridian police are searching for a gunman who robbed The Package Store about 9:50 p.m. Monday.
Lt. Wade Johnson, MPD spokesman, said a black man entered the store at 500 49th Ave., brandishing what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon and demanded money. After the clerk complied, the man fled on foot in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The man is described as between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall with a slender build. He was last seen wearing a black rag around his head and a black and blue sports jersey and blue jeans.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their search for three burglars who were surprised by a woman as she returned home Monday afternoon.
Johnson said the woman, who lives in the Newell Road area, came home about 4 p.m. to find two white men backing out of her driveway and a third running through her backyard. Johnson said she backed her car up and called 911.
Police, with the help of a Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit, chased the suspect through a wooded area, but the burglar was able to escape.
The car is described as a brown 80s model Toyota with damage to the front end and white Toyota lettering on the rear end. The man who escaped through the back yard is described as wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a black ball cap.
Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 485-1860.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3236, or e-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.