7-Eleven armed robbery part of “rash” of thefts

An armed robbery at the 7-Eleven store in downtown Berkeley Springs early last Wednesday is part of a recent “rash” of thefts in the area, said Chief Deputy Tony Link of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department.

Police aren’t ruling out a connection among several of the business and automobile break-ins.

At roughly 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, a white male wearing all black clothing and a bandana on his face entered the 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Street, said police.

When he approached the clerk, he presented a folding buck knife and demanded that she open the cash register, according to police.

When the clerk took him to the register, the suspect stole an unknown amount of cigarettes and lottery tickets, and roughly $60 in cash.

Police said as soon as the clerk opened the register, she escaped into the back room and locked the door, at which point she was able to call the police.

A deputy responded within 20 minutes, said Link, by which time the suspect had fled the store. Police believe the man approached the store and fled on foot.

According to police, the suspect was roughly 5’10,” dressed completely in black, with a black stocking cap, and was carrying a blue bag and a backpack when he entered the store.

The investigation into the armed robbery is ongoing. Deputy First Class Jenkins is the investigating officer in the case.

Anyone with information about the robbery or suspect can call the Sheriff’s Department at 304-258-1067 or try the anonymous Tip Line at 304-258-2450.

Other thefts, break-ins
Reed’s Pharmacy was also targeted in an attempted break-in last Monday, May 16. The break-in didn’t result in any thefts, though suspects damaged the premises in their attempt to gain entry.

According to police, a suspect or suspects tried to shatter the pharmacy’s drive-through window and broke at least one other window in an attempt to gain entry into the business south of Berkeley Springs.

Link said Reed’s has bars on the interior of its windows, so the suspects weren’t able to get in.

Link said two vehicles on North Laurel Avenue and one vehicle on South Laurel were also hit by thieves late on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Police are continuing to look at possible suspects and connections among the crimes, Link said.

Portals Gift Shop in downtown Berkeley Springs was broken into early Friday morning, according to Town of Bath police. Suspects gained entry into the store on Fairfax Street by breaking a window.

Town police also suspect someone attempted to break into Roy’s Service Center on Thursday, May 19.

Anyone with information about those cases should call the Town of Bath Police Department at 304-258-1198.