Suspect sought in bizarre attempted robbery in NK

Sheriff’s personnel in New Kent are searching for the suspect who attempted to pull off an unusual armed robbery at a county business, but fled the scene before being handed cash.

The suspect, described as a white male in his early twenties, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 in height with blond hair and wear a red hooded jacket and khaki cargo pants, entered the Movie Gallery store at 2605 New Kent Highway in Quinton around 4:30 p.m. on April 30. The two clerks on duty watched as the man walked around the store and then left.

Moments later, he returned and brandished a syringe with hypodermic needle before the two clerks on duty.

“He told the clerks he had been diagnosed with AIDS and said if they didn’t hand over the money, he would stick them with it,” Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. said.

The clerks started to comply, Howard said, but then the man told the pair “to just forget about it and please don’t call the police.”

The man then backed out of the store and ran off. A witness outside watched as the suspect ran in the direction of Kentwood Heights Baptist Church.

Sheriff’s personnel rushed to the scene, but could not locate the suspect. No money was taken and no one was injured. There were no customers in the store at the time of the incident.

Investigators are seeking leads in the matter. Anyone with information should call Deputy Farrar Howard III at the sheriff’s office at 966-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.