Suspect sought in convenience store robbery

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

The second armed robbery in Wytheville this month is under investigation by the Wytheville Police Department. It occurred early Friday morning at the Kangaroo convenience store on Holston Road.
According to Capt. Rick Arnold, a clerk reported that a man entered the building around 1 a.m. and displayed a small caliber semi-automatic handgun. The suspect demanded cash from the register and left on foot with money. Police wouldn’t say how much.
The robber is described as a white male, between 5’11” and 6’ tall with a slender build. He was wearing a gray pull-over sweat shirt and a black ski mask.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Wytheville Police Department at 223-3300.
Investigating continues in the Friday, Oct. 2, armed robbery of Papa John’s on Cassell Road in Wytheville. The incident occurred around 10:16 p.m.
The manager told police a man entered the pizza shop and demanded money. He said the robber was armed with a handgun.
The suspect was wearing a mask, a gray hooded sweatshirt and black gloves. He was described as 6 feet tall, weighing around 165 lbs. with a slender build.
Police said they suspect two people were involved in the crime since two men were seen running from the area after the robbery.
The town police were assisted by the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police.
In an unrelated case, a Rural Retreat woman was airlifted to an area hospital after sustaining a head injury in a crash on Monday afternoon. Her condition is unknown at this time.
Chief Deputy Keith Dunagan said Lisa C. Lawler was operating an E-Ton scooter headed west on West Lee Highway around 3:15 p.m. She slowed to make a turn when she was struck in the rear by a 1995 International flatbed truck, operated by Jadan K. Miller of Fancy Gap, the officer stated.
The impact, Dunagan said, threw Lawler from the vehicle onto the road. He said Lawler was transported by helicopter to a Tennessee hospital.
“She was wearing a helmet,” the chief deputy stated. “It may have saved her life.”
Miller was charged with reckless driving.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).