Friday, September 13th, 2013
Police search for robbery suspect
Celina store clerk held up at knifepoint
By Margie Wuebker
Celina Police continue to investigate an armed robbery that occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday at Eastown Party Mart, 701 Grand Lake Road.
No one was injured. The suspect was still on the loose as of press time today.
The suspect, described as a white male approximately 6 feet tall, entered the business and reportedly remained there for a short time before heading to the attached drive-thru.
Once inside, he allegedly displayed a knife and demanded money from the cash register. The male clerk complied and the suspect fled on foot through an overhead door, according to detective Ron Waltmire. The alleged thief was last seen running westbound.
Waltmire said the theft occurred just before the business closed for the night when no customers were in the drive-thru. Authorities have not released the amount of money taken.
Video surveillance indicated the suspect was dressed in a black sweatshirt and black pants with a white stripe. He wore a stocking cap pulled over his head and a pair of sunglasses.
Police expect to release photos of the suspect later today and hope someone will recognize him.
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in or around the Grand Lake Road business Thursday night is asked to call police at 419-586-2345.
This is not the first time the business has been targeted by thieves. In November 2011, an unknown person broke the glass door of the combination convenience market and Shell gas station and left with an armload of cigarettes.
Waltmire also noted an armed robbery had occurred there more than 10 years ago.
