THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
Customer thwarts armed robbery in Stafford County
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By KEITH EPPS
A customer thwarted a robbery attempt in North Stafford late Monday by chasing an armed suspect out of a store, police said.
Sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy said the incident occurred about 10 p.m. at the Sunoco station at 488 Garrisonville Road. The customer reported that he was at the counter making a purchase and talking to the clerk when he noticed the clerk looking past him.
He then heard a voice behind him demanding money from the clerk and the customer’s wallet. The masked suspect then put his hand on a pistol that was tucked in his jeans and told the would-be victims, “Do you think I’m playing?”
Kennedy said the customer replied, “Do you think I’m playing?” and stepped toward the armed suspect. The suspect then ran out of the store with the customer chasing him.
Deputy Dale Colona arrived at the scene within a minute of getting the call. When he got out of his cruiser, one of the two men standing outside the business pointed across the street while telling Colona which way the suspect was heading.
Police circled the area and a police dog tracked a scent to a nearby fence, where the trail was lost.
The suspect was described as a young black male, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 10 inches tall weighing between 140 to 160 pounds. He was wearing black jeans, a white T-shirt, black shoes and a gray mask.
Police believe the incident may be related to a similar one late Saturday at the nearby Exxon Tiger Mart. In that incident, a young male robbed a clerk of money and a pack of cigarettes.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 658-4400 or Crime Solvers at 659-2020.
