— Submitted || Surveillance tapes caught two of the three suspects wanted in connection with robberies spanning Kentucky and Illinois earlier this month. If you have any information on the suspets pictured above, contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 527-COPS

Suspects caught on tape in IGA burglary

Suspects wanted
for three store
robberies in August

By Misti Strader
Tribune-Courier News Editor
mstrader@tribunecourier.com

POSSUM TROT – Recently obtained surveillance tapes reveal images of three suspects in the August robbery of the Possum Trot IGA grocery store.

It was shortly after 8 p.m. Aug. 7, when two males, believed to be in their early to mid 30’s, along with a female believed to be approximately the same age, drove up to the IGA and, according to Marshall County detective Dan Melone, “cased out” the store.

The female can be seen in surveillance tapes getting out of the suspect’s car, believed to be an older model, box-style vehicle, such as a Park Avenue.

She walked over to the drink machine, purchased a beverage and walked back to the car, taking time to observe the parking lot and store frontage area.

The vehicle left the IGA but was spotted by surveillance cameras in Marion, Ill. a short time later as the three got out of their vehicle and gained entry into a convenience store.

Among items stolen were numerous cartons of cigarettes and a donation jar on the counter which was filled with money to be donated to a local cancer patient.

The three were seen shortly after 1 a.m. again returning to the IGA.

This time, the driver, one of the males, approached the store’s vending machines as the female had. He stretched and looked up toward the roof line as well, a motion Melone said was meant to disguise his observation of the store’s security system.

A few minutes later, the trio could be seen moving a newspaper rack in front of the store’s entry, where the same male suspect cut the speaker wire to the alarm system. A pry bar was used to gain entry into the building.

It’s estimated nearly $1,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen, as well as $350 in petty cash.

The three are also suspected of another convenience store robbery which occurred two days later in Princeton.

Melone said the department has been following up on several leads, but because the crimes occurred in a multi-jurisdictional area, they are continuing to publicize photos and information in the case.

“We’re not 100 percent sure the suspects live in Marshall County, but because they started out in Possum Trot and then returned later, we are assuming they have some sort of local ties.”

Melone said while these crimes weren’t particularly dangerous, suspects who exemplify behavior such as this without being caught often turn to more serious and violent crime.

“This type of burglary affects everyone because these businesses have to cover their losses somehow, and often, that cost gets passed down to consumers,” Melone said.
“If you think you know something, don’t hesitate to call just because the descriptions don’t match up exactly or you are not 100 percent sure. We are investigating every lead,” Melone said.

Detectives are asking anyone with any information in this case to contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 527-COPS (2677).