By Lynn Kutter
ENTERPRISE-LEADER
FARMINGTON -- A black man dressed in all black clothes, wearing a hat or hood and sunglasses, robbed a tobacco shop at gunpoint in the middle of the day Saturday along the busiest street going through Farmington.
"Nothing surprises me anymore," Farmington Police Chief Brian Hubbard said Monday morning.
Farmington police are continuing to investigate the armed robbery that occurred about 1 p.m. Saturday at Discount Tobacco, 7 W. Main St., on the corner of South Hunter and Main streets.
According to Lt. Chad Parrish, a black male came into the store, pointed a small, black handgun at the clerk and demanded she hand over cash and open the safe. The suspect then made her get on the ground. He left with about $1,800 in cash.
Wayne Stephens, who lives just outside Farmington, witnessed the robbery.
Stephens said he is a frequent customer of the shop and jokes with the clerks. He entered the store Saturday and thought it was strange because he didn't see anyone. He thought he heard whimpering and went to the counter. Stephens said he learned over the counter and saw the suspect with a gun to the clerk.
He heard the suspect tell the clerk, "Shut up or I'll kill you."
The suspect apparently did not hear or see Stephens.
Stephens said he quickly backed away and quietly left the store. His wife was outside waiting on him and he told her to get away and then he called 911. Stephens saw the suspect leave the store and get into a black SUV-type vehicle. A second man was in the driver's seat. The vehicle drove away on South Hunter Street.
Anyone with information, or who recognizes the suspect, is asked to call Farmington police at 479-267-3411.
General News on 10/18/2017