Cash taken: Man wanted in late Wed. night assault on Chevron employee, cash theft

Published 7:00 am Saturday, January 2, 2016

WANTED SUSPECT:

WANTED SUSPECT: A male suspect, 20-year-old Rodney Allen of 615 East 4th St., is wanted by police for strong arm robbery at a Chevron gas station on Memorial Boulevard.

A Picayune man fled the Chevron gas station on Memorial Boulevard on Wednesday after fighting with the clerk and leaving with an undetermined amount of money. Picayune Police are searching for the male suspect, 20-year-old Rodney Allen of 615 East 4th St., wanted for strong arm robbery.

Picayune police Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said officers were dispatched to the gas station at 11:16 p.m. that day. When they arrived, the clerk told officers that he exited the store for a moment and as he was walking back through the front door, Allen allegedly struck him in the head and forced him into the store, Magri said.

“The clerk stated that once they were inside the store, they were fighting, knocking over several display items. The clerk also said that after the struggle, the suspect allegedly stole an undetermined amount of money from a drop bag that was laying on the counter,” Magri said.

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After that, Allen exited the store and ran on foot toward the rear of the store and that’s when the clerk lost sight of him, Magri said.

Through the initial investigation, officers were able to identify the suspect. They also recovered a red bandana and sunglasses at the store belonging to Allen, Magri said.

The clerk was transported to Highland Community Hospital with minor injuries. Magri said officers reported that the clerk had a small laceration on his hand and the right side of his face was swollen.

If anyone has any information regarding Allen’s whereabouts, notify the Picayune Police Department at 601-798-7411 or Crime Stoppers at 601-799-2583, Magri said.