ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 30, 1996 TAG: 9608300062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER STAFF WRITER
IMPATIENT with a convenience store clerk, a man picked up the entire cash register, stowed it in his car's trunk and drove off.
When a would-be robber entered a Southwest Roanoke convenience store Thursday night, he probably intended to take only some cash. Instead, he ended up with an entire cash register.
The man walked into the Stop N Shop Food Mart on 13th Street Southwest about 8:45 p.m. and demanded money, Roanoke police said.
He grew impatient with the clerk and shouted, "Hurry up, or I'll shoot you," police said. The man never showed a weapon but gestured to his left front pants pocket as if he had a gun.
The robber decided not to wait any longer, picked up the register and fled. He stopped long enough to load the register into the trunk of the black Mercedes-Benz he was driving.
Using the car's personalized plates, police determined its owner's Northwest Roanoke address. Police have not found the car or talked to the owner. They do not know if the car had been stolen.
Police believe the man who robbed the Roanoke store also shoplifted a six-pack of beer and a pack of cigarettes from a Salem convenience store earlier Thursday.
About 8:20 p.m., a man fitting the description of the Roanoke robber walked into Sparky's Food Mart, formerly The Village Store, on East Main Street and took the beer from the cooler and asked for the cigarettes, Salem police Lt. Reg Gray said. The man hung around while another customer shopped.
After the customer left, the man told the clerk he wanted all of the store's money, Gray said. The man tried to grab some cash, but the clerk closed the register drawer before he could take any.
The man fled on foot. He did not show a weapon or threaten the clerk, Gray said.
Police continue to investigate both incidents.
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB