Tips wanted on gas-station robbery

2/23/2002

Toledo police are seeking information through the Crime Stopper program about a man who pretended to use a telephone at a gas station after claiming his U-Haul truck broke down and then bound an employee and robbed the business.

The man walked into the BP station, 2441 South Reynolds Rd., and asked to use the phone about 9:10 p.m. Feb. 8. He told the station employee his truck had become disabled and he needed to call for help. After pretending to use the phone, he announced the robbery and told the employee to go to the back of the business, police said.

He bound the clerk with duct tape and locked him in a backroom. The man took tapes from the videocassette recorder in the office. He went to the front of the store and stole money, cigarettes, instant Ohio lottery tickets, and several butane and disposable lighters. He fled in the U-Haul truck.

The man was described as being black, 30 to 35 years old, 6 feet tall, about 175 pounds, with a moustache and goatee. He was wearing a black sweat suit.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the Crime Stopper program. Callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.