Robber attacks store employee; takes credit cards, less than $40 cash
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore police and area lawmen were still searching at midweek for the man who used a crowbar or similar blunt object to attack a local clothing store employee Saturday afternoon (October 15), then make off with the employee’s credit cards and less than $40 cash.
According to Atmore Police Department reports, APD officers responded to New York Fashions on North Main Street after a customer discovered the employee, inside the business and bleeding from a head wound, and called 911.
Responding officers noted that “it appeared the suspect attempted to restrain the victim but was unsuccessful.” The injured employee was reportedly taken to Atmore Community Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
Sgt. Darrell McMann reported Sunday afternoon (October 16) that the suspect used a blunt object, “we think a crowbar,” in the assault.
APD officers conducted a door-to-door search Saturday afternoon along North and South Main Street, making sure the doors of closed businesses were locked. They looked in the bushes of a Main Street greenspace and other places for clues, at the same time looking for surveillance cameras that might have recorded the suspect during his flight from the scene.
McMann said Monday that police detectives had recovered some video from the area of the robbery and were reviewing it in an attempt to identify the suspect.
“The investigator is reviewing video from other businesses to determine if the suspect entered nearby businesses,” the sergeant-investigator said.
Authorities remained unsure early Monday (October 17) how much time had elapsed between the robbery-assault and the time police were notified.
“We aren’t sure for now,” McMann said. “It isn’t clear from when the person called 911, from when the suspect left. That may become clearer after all available video is reviewed.”
The suspect, a black male wearing a black face mask, was described as approximately 6-feet, 3-inches tall, with a medium build. According to a witness statement, he was wearing “an XL-size, lighter-colored shirt and dark-colored pants, as well as casual-style shoes, possibly grey in color.”
Anyone who has any information regarding the suspect or the incident, is urged to contact Atmore police at 251-368-9141.