LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
The red eyes and strained facial expressions of two female clerks held at gunpoint depicted the terror of a robbery occurring just minutes earlier.
The two clerks, whose names are being withheld, said business was slow at Ott’s Grocery, five miles west of London at the intersection of Hawk Creek Road and Russell Dyche Memorial Highway (west Ky. 80), just before 7 p.m. when a man entered the store with a handgun and demanded cash.
“I didn’t know what to do at first,” said one clerk. “Then I emptied this cash register and (the other clerk) emptied the other one.”
The suspect, described as a white male, between 5 foot-8 inches and 6 feet tall, and wearing a dark colored hoodie, entered the store alone, and the clerks said they did not see a vehicle drive up the incline from the main roadway into the parking lot. After grabbing the undisclosed amount of money, the man fled on foot.
Law enforcement swarmed the scene just minutes later and Kentucky State Police Trooper Jason McCowan arrived to help with his tracking dog, Rex. However, the robber was not located in the area.
Store owner Rick Ott was quick to arrive at the family-owned store and calm the two clerks. The store was shut down and police tape stretched across the front of the store and along the gas pumps after the robbery while police conducted their investigation.
“This is the first time we’ve been robbed in 137 years,” Ott said.
Laurel Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Tommy Johnson is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information about the identity of the robber is urged to contact the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office at (606) 864-6600.
Assisting at the scene were Sheriff John Root, Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore, Sgt. Greg Poynter, Detective Daryl Zanet, Detective Charlie Loomis, Deputy William Bo Harris, Deputy Jason Back, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, District 1 Constable Tim May, Kentucky State Police Trooper Mike King, Trooper Chris Roberts, Trooper Jeff Centers and Trooper Jason McCowan and tracking dog, Rex.
njohnson@sentinel-echo.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Laurel County Sheriff’s officials stand outside Ott’s Grocery to share information following an armed robbery Wednesday in which an undisclosed amount of money was taken from two female clerks on duty. Photo by Nita Johnson
December 5, 2011
Ott’s Grocery robbed at gunpoint
Police seeking information on culprit
- Local News
-
-
Road built to Levi Jackson Family Cemetery
-
A new network: Recruitment reception for 2014 Leadership class
The informational session to enter the 2014 Leadership Tri-County Class is Thursday, May 30 at 1 p.m. at the London Community Center.
-
Baptist Breast Care now open
-
Services offer convenience, comfort for patient
- Female inmates join work crews
- New veterinary hospital coming to London
-
Man saves two in fiery crash
- Tips to protect your child from potential predators
- Teen flees abductor
- Meth maker gets 20 years
- More Local News Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
