Hunt for robber continues

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The Mitchell Police Division is still in search of the person who robbed a local convenience store at gunpoint shortly before midnight Saturday and got away with more than $1,000 in cash.

Police are asking local businesses to be wary of people buying large quantities of prepaid cards as they believe it may be a way the suspect will attempt to launder the stolen money, a news release issued Monday by the Mitchell Police Division says.

“We understand, obviously, this is the holiday season and our area businesses will be selling a number of these types of prepaid items,” the release says. “However, we are asking for your help in being vigilant if anyone should attempt to purchase a large amount of these cards with cash.”

Clerks should not question customers beyond what is normally done, the release says, but should be wary of any suspicious behavior and report it to the Mitchell Police Division and, if possible, obtain any identifying information from the suspicious person.

The robbery occurred at Dakota Sunset Liquor, 1524 W. Havens Ave. in Mitchell. Police say a man armed with a gun entered through the front door of the convenience store, threatened the clerk with the gun and demanded money. After he was given the cash, the man fled back out the front door. The entire incident took only about 30 seconds.

Police describe the suspect as a white male, but say it’s also possible he is Hispanic or American Indian, in his mid-20s to early 30s, between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, who was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black coat, black tennis shoes, and a white ball cap with an unknown emblem on it. The man covered his face with a white garment during the robbery.

Mitchell Public Safety Chief Lyndon Overweg said Monday that the investigation into the robbery was ongoing and investigators are still asking for information from the public.

Anyone who has noticed somebody acting strangely or appears to have a large amount of money they didn’t have before, or knows someone who unexpectedly left the area, should contact the Mitchell Police Division, Overweg said.

Anyone who noticed anything suspicious in Mitchell on the night of the robbery should also contact the police, he added.

Anyone with information should contact the Mitchell Police Division at 995-8414 and ask for either Investigator Joel Reinesch or Investigator Adam Frerichs.

They can also call Mitchell Area Crime Stoppers at 996-1700 or send a text message to CRIMES (274637). Text “MITCS,” followed by a message. Information received through Crime Stoppers remains anonymous.

Additionally, caller IDs are not attached to the Crime Stoppers phone line.

Tags: news, updates, crime, local, robbery, mitchell, police