NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) – Neenah Police are investigating an armed robbery Thursday morning at a convenience store – the seventh robbery in the area in recent weeks.
The incident happened just after 4 a.m. at the Citgo at 1013 Main Street.
“Within about 10 minutes of opening, a lone male had walked in and pointed a gun at the clerk,” says Neenah Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson. “He hopped over the counter and demanded cash.”
The robber did get away with an undisclosed amount of cash and no one was hurt. Wilkinson says there’s little doubt Thursday’s heist is connected to these other armed robberies:
- May 26: 10 p.m.; BP station at 899 S. Commercial St., Neenah
- June 2: 10 p.m.; BP station on Hwy. BB, Fox Crossing
- June 2: 10:45 p.m.: BP station on Hwy. O, Town of Neenah
- June 3: 9:10 p.m.; BP station at 899 S. Commercial St., Neenah
- June 8: 9:35 p.m.; BP station on Hwy. BB, Fox Crossing
- June 10: 4 a.m., Main Street Citgo. 1013 Main St., Neenah
“First we just don’t have these, it’s unusual to get a gas station robbery. Maybe we’d get one a year in the area or something like that. So to have 7 all in the space of about 3 weeks in a small, geographical area…obviously that links them,” explains Wilkinson. “The general description of the suspect is the same.”
Despite always wearing a mask, the description of the suspect is a black man, about 5’8″ to 6′ tall. Descriptions vary, Wilkinson says, because clerks who are victims describe things differently.
ONGOING TEAM EFFORT
The Fox Valley has several different jurisdictions with their own law enforcement agency, so having them share information on suspect descriptions, tips received and other data is vital.
“There’s a network of detectives that work together really well throughout northeast Wisconsin,” says Wilkinson. “They get together for regular meetings, they share information and certainly that entire network is working in some way on this series of crimes and providing tips, if you will, about a possible suspect.”
Wilkinson pointed out a possible pattern change in these robberies. The first five armed robberies took place at night, around the time the businesses were closing. These last two have now taken place in the morning hours. Asked if this means the perpetrator may be looking to keep police off balance…
“Well it’s certainly a possibility,” Wilkinson responds. “There are other explanations that certainly could be plausible there as to why he changed his behavior, including his own schedule. It’s hard to say, but it’s creating quite a challenge for local law enforcement.”
The chief added that he thinks every cop in the Fox Valley wants to be the one who catches this robber.
Anyone with information is asked to call Neenah police at (920) 886-6000. You can also call Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-TIPS (8477) or text the work “IGOTYA” and your message to 274637.
(Additional reporting by WTAQ’s Jeff Flynt).
