Newsroom

A Strong Armed Robbery occurred at Betty’s Place Video Gaming Parlor on Wabash Avenue shortly after noon on November 23rd and Crime Stoppers wants to help police solve this crime. Police have surveillance video images of the incident which began when a black female with a white sweater took a purse which belonged to a patron of the business. Another customer followed the thief outside and attempted to recover the stolen purse but was battered by the perpetrator who was able to escape southbound on foot.

On November 11 at 1130 pm the S & A Convenience Store on East Jackson was robbed by three black males, two of whom displayed handguns. The suspect’s identity was concealed however the clothing they were wearing may help identify them. Suspect one had on a blue or grey hooded sweatshirt with black sleeves and a black hood. It had an SJ logo on the left front of the hoodie and he was wearing white Nike Air Force 1’s. Suspect 2 had his zip-up hoodie inside out, it was white on the inside and probably grey on the outside with a designer emblem on the left front. Number three wore all black, a black baseball cap, and had tattoos on his right wrist.

With several recent thefts from unattended purses, and the holiday shopping season ahead, Crime Stoppers wants to bring this all too common crime to the forefront this week. We also want you to look at surveillance photos of a suspect involved in a theft from a purse at Lincoln Library in downtown Springfield. These crimes can occur anytime you are out in the public whether you’re shopping, at a business office, a doctor’s appointment, or any other public place. The thieves often quietly and quickly reach into the handbag and remove items- and are on their way within seconds. Sometimes the victims aren’t even aware that the theft took place until days later making it nearly impossible to catch the perpetrator. Crime Stoppers urges you to avoid being victimized, never leave your purse open or out of your sight.

During the past few weeks, Springfield has experienced an uptick in the number of armed robberies to convenience stores, carryout restaurants, and service stations. This is not uncommon during the late fall as the days grow shorter and chillier weather brings out jackets and longer coats. It’s also the time for small business owners to become more vigilant in securing their businesses and taking extra precautions to avoid being victimized. We remind citizens to step up in the fight against crime by reporting persons engaging in activity that seems to be suspicious or unusual. If you observe criminal activity, call police when it’s safe and make good mental notes so that you can be a good witness.

On September 10, 2016, shortly after 1 AM, a home invasion occurred at a mobile home on Imperial Valley Drive and Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward to any person who comes forward with information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrators. There were two suspects in this case, both were masked black males who entered the home, woke the victim, and struck him in the face with the semi-automatic firearm they had threatened him with. After ransacking the home, the suspects left with jewelry and other valuables. The victim was treated and released from a local hospital.