News

Actions

Armed robbery in Sparta is caught on tape

Posted at 10:28 PM, Jan 16, 2015
and last updated 2015-01-16 22:28:25-05

SPARTA, Mich.-- A Sparta area gas station is out hundreds of dollars after it was stolen by a pair of thieves Monday night.

American Gas and Oil on East Division was robbed by two people, one stood watch, while the other held the cashier at gunpoint. The thieves are thought to be in their mid-twenties.

The whole theft was caught on surveillance tape. You can see one individual covered in a hood and mask bust into the gas station pointing his gun right at the cashier, while the other stood at the door with his back turned to the camera to lookout for anyone coming.

However, the cameras didn’t catch the getaway vehicle they used to exit the robbery.

“We don’t know where the car was,” said Natashia Smith, Sparta officer on the robbery case.

This isn't the first time the gas station has been robbed.

“This is the second time,” said Smith.

The American Gas and Oil was robbed 7 months and three days as of Friday according to police.

Officer Smith says they have some people they are looking into, but have made no arrests. She has made some suggestions to the gas station to put in better lighting, and doubling their cameras in the store. They are even thinking about having two people working the cashier for the late shifts.

If you have any information on the robbery please contact the Sparta Police Department 24 hour dispatch at 616-887-7331 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.