MONROE - Shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, a man with a large knife reportedly robbed the Vera Cruz Mexican Store at 1105 16th Ave.
An undisclosed amount of money was taken.
Initial police reports indicate a Hispanic male displayed a knife and demanded money. The clerk gave the robber the money.
With the money and a bottle of soda, the robber fled on foot north on 16th Avenue and a short distance west on 11th Street. A man working at the store gave chase for about a block.
Police detectives were processing the crime scene for evidence. Monroe police officers and police dogs were canvassing the downtown area for about an hour after the robbery.
Police said the store would be released to the owner later Tuesday.
This is the second robbery of a local Hispanic store in the city within the past month.
The last incident occurred June 13 at a Hispanic grocery in the 700 block of 30th Street. That incident remains under investigation.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said police do not know whether the incidents are related.
"I can't say that they are," he said.
The stores have different owners.
The 30th Street store has a For Rent sign in its yard.
People having any knowledge of the crime are asked to contact the Monroe Police Department at (608) 329-2440 or Green County Crimestoppers at 1-800-I-C-Crime.Jim Winter 7/8/08
An undisclosed amount of money was taken.
Initial police reports indicate a Hispanic male displayed a knife and demanded money. The clerk gave the robber the money.
With the money and a bottle of soda, the robber fled on foot north on 16th Avenue and a short distance west on 11th Street. A man working at the store gave chase for about a block.
Police detectives were processing the crime scene for evidence. Monroe police officers and police dogs were canvassing the downtown area for about an hour after the robbery.
Police said the store would be released to the owner later Tuesday.
This is the second robbery of a local Hispanic store in the city within the past month.
The last incident occurred June 13 at a Hispanic grocery in the 700 block of 30th Street. That incident remains under investigation.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said police do not know whether the incidents are related.
"I can't say that they are," he said.
The stores have different owners.
The 30th Street store has a For Rent sign in its yard.
People having any knowledge of the crime are asked to contact the Monroe Police Department at (608) 329-2440 or Green County Crimestoppers at 1-800-I-C-Crime.Jim Winter 7/8/08