By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Nov. 29, 2000
Meridian police have a suspect in custody whom they believe is a principal in a rash of recent robberies at local convenience stores.
Investigators for the past few weeks have been searching for the culprits, most of whom are strong-arm thieves, said Sgt. Joe Hoadley of the department's Criminal Investigations Division.
Police late Tuesday night took the man whose identity was not disclosed into custody, said Lt. John McAlister. Charges are expected to be filed against him today in connection with several recent robberies, and more arrests are expected, he said.
The latest robbery occurred Monday at Fred's Super Dollar Store on 22nd Avenue. Hoadley said a man entered the store around 6:30 p.m. and went to the register to make a purchase.
Clerks described the man as 5 feet 6 inches tall and wearing a white shirt and white pants. Hoadley said witnesses reported seeing the man flee in possibly a white Mitsubishi Galant with two other men in the car.
Hoadley said police are still trying to solve another strong-armed robbery that occurred Sunday around 9:30 p.m. In that case, a man entered the Texaco gas station on 20th Street and State Boulevard and went to the cash register to make a small purchase. When the register was open, the man grabbed the money and ran out of the store, Hoadley said.
The man is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 175 pounds with a moustache, a black cap, black pants and a blue jacket.
Robberies are common during the holiday season, he said.
Hoadley said such crimes are difficult to solve because they happen so quickly and because descriptions often greatly vary.
Hoadley said investigators have been called to robbery scenes nearly every day in the past week.
Investigators were called to the scene of two robberies last week, both at convenience stores.
On Nov. 21, a man wearing a mask and brandishing a small handgun entered the Texaco Food Mart on Eighth Street and demanded money. He fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
In an unrelated robbery a few hours later, a man entered the Texaco/Domino's Pizza convenience store on Highway 39 North, went to the register to buy a cigar and then pushed the clerk away and grabbed some money from the register.
Police are still looking for the culprits in both crimes.
Residents with information are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 485-1860.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@meridianstar.com.