Tesoro and Walgreen hit by robbers

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department is investigating two possibly related business robberies that took place overnight.

Report 12C30690

At 11:57 p.m. Monday, Coeur d’Alene Police officers responded to 2301 Sherman Ave., the Tesoro service station for the report of a robbery that had just occurred. The female clerk on duty reported that the male suspect had come into the store one time prior to the robbery. The first time was approximately 11:35 p.m.The clerk said he came up to the counter and asked about cigarettes. She told him the price and he said he would have to come back.

The suspect came back into the store at 11:47 p.m. and wandered around for a while. As soon as other customers left the store he approached the counter area and lifted his shirt to her displaying a handgun tucked into his waistband. He demanded money from the till. The clerk complied and gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The male then fled the store on foot.

Suspect description: White male, 5 feet 6 inches, 150 pounds, brown hair, and hair stubble on side of his face by sideburns, very blue eyes, wearing a black cotton hoodie zipped all the way up with a white ball cap underneath, blue jeans, and dusty black work boots.

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Report 12C30694

At 1:15 .am. this morning, Coeur d’Alene Police officers responded to 335 W. Appleway, Walgreens, for the report of a robbery that had just occurred. The description of the suspect is possibly related to the Tesoro robbery. The female clerk on duty reported the male came into the store and was standing at the counter. She came forward from another area in the store and went to the cash register. The male lifted his shirt and displayed a handgun in his waistband. He demanded money from the till. She was not able to give it to him. He took some cigarettes from the counter and fled the store on foot.

Officers reviewed surveillance video and it appeared he got into a dark colored vehicle that was waiting outside. The vehicle drove east through the parking lot and left the area. Surveillance video from the robberies will be provided to the police department today.

Suspect description: 5 feet 8-10 inches, white male, slender build, wearing a grey or white billed hat with a black hoodie pulled over it and blue jeans. The male has two piercings on his upper lip.

Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at 769-2320.