Salem Police Seek Info on Robbery Suspect

Salem Police investigators are asking for the public’s help with a robbery incident that occurred last night, according to an alert.

Police were called to Pet Life on South Broadway at just past 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2015, for a report of an armed robbery.

Store employees alleged that a man came into the store, made verbal threats and physical gestures that he might have a gun. According to Lt. Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department, no weapon was actually shown during the robbery.

“(A) witness reported the male had been walking around the store for 20 minutes prior to the robbery,” according to Dolan. “He was described as ‘jittery’ and appeared ‘strung out.’ After walking around the store, the male walked up the employee working the register and demanded all of the money.”

At first, according to the report, the employee refused to comply and the man then reportedly placed his hand in his pocket, said he had a gun, and threatened to shoot the employee. The employee then placed cash into a plastic bag and the man fled the area.

Dolan described the man as white, 5-feet, 10-inches tall, about 240 lbs., and 35- to 45-years-old. He had a trimmed beard and was wearing a black, crewneck sweatshirt, baggy black sweatpants that were tucked into his socks, and a white baseball cap.

The man reportedly left the area in an older model dark green Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck. The wheels have silver center caps that stood out, according to police. Police don’t have footage of the suspect as of post time but were able to obtain a shot of the vehicle leaving the area, which is presented in this post.

The Salem Police Department Investigative Services Unit is investigating this robbery and anyone with information is encouraged to call Det. Sgt. Thomas Kench at 603-890-2371.