Suffolk News-Herald

Three suspects in the Nov. 19, 2003 armed robbery of a South Quay Road service station have been captured and charged, but police are asking for help in locating a fourth suspect.

The incident took place around 8:49 p.m. at the Pure Station at 8917 South Quay Road, in the Holland area of the city.

Detective J.M. Jones said three juvenile suspects entered the store as a fourth suspect, a 20-year old, was waiting in his mother’s vehicle parked next to a dumpster outside the store.

The three juveniles wore masks and one carried what is believed to be a semi-automatic handgun. They demanded cash from the register, as one of the juveniles, 16, went behind the counter and took a box of Dutch Masters cigars.

A second suspect, age unknown, grabbed a 12-pack of Miller Lite beer from the cooler, and all three, including an unidentified suspect, fled the store, running along the east side of the building. The store cashier was working alone at the time of the robbery. She was not injured.

Even though all three suspects wore masks, they were captured after Suffolk Police Detective John M. Jones recovered the VHS surveillance tape from the store’s security camera.

The 20-year-old, a resident of 405 Pine Street, Franklin, was interviewed by the detective. He told Jones that although he did not know the youths were going to rob the store, he did stay in the car after seeing the beer and cigars. Charges are pending against this suspect.

Jones said one of the juveniles is a resident of Railroad Avenue and another is from Bank Street in Franklin. The third juvenile’s address is unknown at this time.

Warrants are on file for the suspect whose age is not known, however, he is being sought on charges of robbery, use of a firearm, wearing a mask and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The Franklin juvenile was arrested at his home on Feb. 18, during the execution of a search warrant. He was taken to Tidewater Detention Home for juveniles. He was charged with robbery and use of a firearm after confessing to the crime.

Anyone with information on any of the subjects is asked to call Suffolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, or call Jones at 923-2350. If a caller’s information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for up to $1,000 in Crime Line cash.