By Rupert Howell

Batesville Police Department is hoping that video and still shots taken over the weekend during an armed robbery at Exxon on Highway 6E and a burglary at Cafe Ole also on Highway 6 will lead to the arrest of suspects.
Video of the armed robbery at Exxon clearly shows a slender black male walking in just a few minutes after midnight Monday wearing a tan baseball cap, red shirt,  blue jean shorts and black and white shoes. He was of slender build and estimated to be 5’7-8”.

He clearly holds what appears to be a semi-automatic pistol to the back of the clerk’s neck while she holds her hands up and he fumbles through the cash register.

According to BPD investigator Paul Shivers, the suspect left on foot headed west with an undetermined amount of cash, although the detective suspects a vehicle was strategically parked nearby to aid escape.

Two nights prior at Cafe Ole’ two black male suspects entered that business at approximately 2:55 a.m. Saturday taking the cash register. Video clearly shows suspects in the building taking the register.

Shivers said the store had been burglarized in previous months and the juvenile apprehended for that crime has already been set free.

Asked if there were any suspects, Shivers would only state that investigators had some “ideas,” or possible leads.
Police are offering a cash reward for information leading to arrests in both cases. Call 563-5653.