Story update courtesy of Jeremy Smith for TOC News:
In an update to a story we ran yesterday(Saturday, November 28th), The Illinois State Police are currently assisting Indiana authorities in an investigation into a string of armed robberies that occurred across both states.
According to current available details from multiple sources, the crime spree began on Sunday November 22nd, with a series of early morning robberies at three Terre Haute hotels and a gas station/convenience store.
The robberies were: At 5:22 a.m. at the Home 2 Suits by Hilton off East Margaret Drive. At 5:34 a.m. at the nearby Holiday Inn Express Suites, also off East Margaret. At 5:45 a.m. at Hampton Inn on U.S. 41 near Interstate 70, each in Vigo County, Indiana. And at 5:50 a.m. at the Maui Stop and Shop at South Seventh Street and East Springhill Drive, in Marshall, Illinois.
In a news release issued morning of Monday, November 23rd, Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse (Pla-SEE) said a man and woman entered the Maui Stop and Shop in Terre Haute, Indiana, wearing dark clothing with most of their faces covered. Plasse said one suspect pointed a firearm at the clerk. The suspects took cash and other items and fled the scene black 2020 Nissan Sentra SR, Plasse said. The last two characters on the vehicle’s temporary tag appear to be “1B,” it is not clear at this time if there was a third suspect involved in these incidents.
On Tuesday, November 24th, Knox County Indiana authorities received a report of the theft of a White 2016 four-door 4×4 Ford F-250, with Indiana license plate number TK684NDK. It is believed at this time, that this vehicle was used in at least two other armed robberies that occurred on Friday, November 27th.
The robberies were: At 5:10 a.m. at the Jumpin’ Jimmy’s Convenience Store on 9th Street in Mount Carmel. Two suspects, a white male and a white female, entered the store armed with a handgun, and removed an undetermined amount of cash from the register. A third suspect, the driver, remained in the vehicle. Then, at 5:54 a.m. a male and female entered the Super-8 Motel in Grayville, IL and robbed the desk clerk at gunpoint. The female suspect displayed a two tone semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from the clerk. The male suspect hopped over the counter and emptied the cash drawer. Again, a third suspect stayed in the vehicle. It was reported that the truck turned onto Interstate-64 and fled east towards Indiana, according to Grayville Chief David Burrows.
The investigation is currently on-going, and police are asking anyone with information about these suspects to contact the Grayville Police Department at 618-375-2351; the Mount Carmel Police Department at 618-262-4114; The Illinois State Police; or by calling 911.
Anyone with information about the Maui robbery is asked to contact the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office at 812-462-3226 and ask for Detective Fischer. Information on the hotel incidents can be reported to city police at 812-238-1661.
