For the second time in two months, Heckle & Jeckle Party Store, 27 N. Washington Street, was victimized by a seemingly armed bandit.
According to Oxford Village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski, a man entered the store on Thursday, June 19, just before 10 p.m. ‘We have video of the robbery,? Neymanowski said. ‘And, there seems to be a witness who was entering the store just after the man left. He may know something that could help us.?
According to the chief, as soon as the robber left through the back door, the cashier hurriedly locked the door behind him, barring the potential witness from entering. ‘He probably doesn’t even know what happened.?
What happened, according to the 33-year-old female cashier, was the bandit entered the store through the front door. When he approached the counter, his right hand was in his pants pocket, as if he was holding a gun. He told her to get a bag and put money in it and ‘he wouldn’t shoot me.?
Before he told her to tell police that he was a black man. He then exited the rear of the store with a sack of money, ‘Only a couple hundred dollars,? Neymanowski said.
Oxford Police received help from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department with a K-9 Unit and surveillance from above with a helicopter. According to Neymanowski , the county dog was only able to track the suspect out into the parking lot, before it lost the scent.
‘He may have had a get away car there,? the chief added.
Reports indicate the suspect had visited the store earlier in the evening, buying beer.
The suspect is described as a white male standing about six feet tall with a medium to muscular build, approximately 180 pounds. He had short, blond hair. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a white tank-top tee shirt, blue jeans and black boots. The cashier said the man had tatoos on both arms from the biceps up to the upper shoulder area.
If you have any information call the police department at 248-628-2581.
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Two months and one day before this robbery the store was held up also. The individuals charged in the April 18 case, David Alan Hudson, 38, of Pontiac and Justin Cochran, 18, of Leonard were before Circuit Court Judge Nanci Grant yesterday (June 24). Judge Grant has slated an August 19 date for their pretrial.
According to Chief Neymanowski , the department was led to the men by ‘tips.?