Armed robber still at large

An armed man allegedly robbed the Marathon gas station in Richwood Monday. The suspect waited for an employee to open the store for the day. When the employee arrived, the man, seen in surveillance photo above, forced his way into the store and took an undisclosed amount of cash. (Photo submitted)

Police seek tips from public on identity of suspect
Law enforcement officials are asking for the public’s help catching an armed robber.
About 4:15 a.m., Monday, the Richwood Police Department responded to a 911 call at the Richwood Mini Mart Marathon gas station, 3 Bomford St.
A store employee told investigators that as he was walking up to the store to open for the day, someone approached him and showed a gun.
“The suspect was waiting on the side of the building and approached the employee at the front door as he was opening the store,” said Lt. Jim Hill with the Richwood Police Department.
Officials said the suspect was a male, about 6 feet tall, of an unknown race. The man was wearing blue coveralls with a black mask and gloves.
“The suspect was completely covered and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun,” according to information from the Richwood Police Department.
According to the report, the suspect forced the employee into the store
“The employee was not physically harmed,” according to the report.
Hill said the man took “an undisclosed amount of cash” but nothing else.
Moments later, the suspect left the business, though officials said they don’t know how he left the area or what direction he went.
Officials said that based on the facts of the crime, “the suspect certainly had knowledge.”
“It wasn’t a random crime,” Hill said.
He said investigators are working to determine how much knowledge the suspect had and how he got it.
“We have video surveillance and we are combing through that, looking for any identifiers that would help us,” Hill said.
He added that “some evidence” has been collected at the scene and has been sent to the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification.
Investigators released photos of the robber and said additional photos are coming.
“But, there is only so much that can be seen because the suspect is covered up the whole time,” Hill said.
The Richwood Police Department is hoping the public can help.
Police are asking anyone with camera alarm systems in the area near the Marathon station to “check for any activity with any individuals, or vehicles in alleys or roads” between 3 a.m. and 4:05 a.m.
Anyone with footage, information about the robbery, who saw anyone matching this description or observed suspicious activity in the area, is being asked to contact the department at (740) 943-2422 or (740) 943-5212.
Anonymous tips may also be left at the Village of Richwood website, www.richwoodohio.org, under the public safety tab on the screen.
Hill said that while cases like this can be difficult, “we really only need one good lead for us to follow.”

The Richwood Mini Mart, 3 E. Bomford St., seen above, was robbed in the early morning hours Monday. The Richwood Police Department is investigating the incident. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sherryl Sheets)