Exeter Police: 5 Suspects Sought In EZ Mart Shell Station Robbery

EXETER, NH — Police in Exeter are asking for the public’s help identifying suspects after a gas station robbery on Tuesday.

Around 3:30 a.m., five people entered the EZ Mart Shell gas station and store on Main Street. They walked around, conversed briefly with each other, and then, one suspect flashed a handgun, and another appeared to have an AR-15 style rifle and robbed a store clerk, police said.

The clerk was threatened and held at gunpoint but was not harmed, Chief Stephan Poulin said. There were also no customers in the store at the time.

“The suspects, who were inside the store for a total of about five minutes, fled on foot with an undetermined amount of cash and merchandise,” he said. “It’s believed that they headed eastbound on Main Street after leaving the store. Investigators are still trying to determine whether the suspects may have had a vehicle.”

A New Hampshire State Police K-9 unit was requested to assist as well as a helicopter. State troopers and police established a perimeter. A nearby home was also searched and cleared. Main Street from Cass to Lincoln streets was closed for around two hours, Poulin said.

“We would like to commend the clerk for the way he handled this very stressful encounter when he was confronted with multiple firearms,” he said. “He didn't panic and did exactly what was asked.”

Police are gathering video surveillance footage from cameras in the area. More detailed suspect information will be released soon. Poulin also thanked the state police for their help.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Exeter Police Department at 603-772-1212.

Anonymous tips can also be made to Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling 603-431-1199 or online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com.

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