Clerk foils would-be robbers

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Two masked men attempted to rob a local convenience store on Tuesday night and shot into the air when the store's clerks did not comply with their demands.

Gallup Police Department Capt. John Allen said two men walked into the 7-2-11 convenience store in the 1000 block of West Highway 66 at about 10:45 p.m. and demanded the store's cash from the clerk.

One of the men reportedly pointed a stainless steel handgun at the employee who then refused to give him any money. The clerk also allegedly demanded the would-be robbers leave the store.

Reportedly irritated, one of the men pointed the handgun upward and shot a round into the air before the pair left the store on foot without any money.

The first male suspect is described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall and was wearing a light blue pull-over at the time of the incident. A second suspect is about 5 feet 4 inches tall and was wearing a black pull-over. Both men wore bandannas over their faces to conceal their identities.

Anyone with information about the attempted robbery, is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 722-6161. The organization is offering an up to $1,000 reward to the individual who provides information that leads to the arrest of the men.

When involved in a crime, Allen urged victims to comply with a robbers requests.

"We recommend that victims of crimes cooperate because money and property can be replaced," Allen said. "Our main concern is that people remain safe."