Man robs Southeast Missouri store at gunpoint

FAIRDEALING, Mo. -- Ripley County authorities are following leads as they search for a man believed to have robbed a Fairdealing business Monday afternoon at gunpoint.

Between 12:45 and 1 p.m., a man entered The Giftbox on Highway 160, just west of Fairdealing and Route M and displayed a small firearm, a pistol, according to Ripley County Sheriff Ron Barnett.

"He told (the clerk) to get on the floor ... evidently, the phone rang about the time; that's when he demanded the 20s out of the drawer," Barnett said.

The man, who did not have his face covered in any way, stole $120 from the business, Barnett said.

The suspect, Barnett said, is described as a male, about 6 feet 2 inches tall, with brown hair and in his 40s, Barnett said. He is believed to have been wearing bib overalls and a T-shirt

At this point, authorities do not have any further descriptive information on the suspect, Barnett said. "She was pretty shook up; he made her get on the floor."

Barnett said the clerk was not injured and no one else was in the store at the time.

Authorities believe the suspect fled eastbound in an older model, dark blue car, Barnett said.

"We stopped at the gravel county road not far east of The Giftbox there ... we believe he went south on the gravel (road), according to eyewitnesses, neighbors," Barnett said.

Barnett said he contacted Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs to alert him about the robbery, as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"That's what makes it bad; he could have went several places," Barnett said. "We don't have too much of a description. It would not take long for him to get away."

Barnett said his officers were working some leads Tuesday morning.

"I really believe he was a local guy," said Barnett. "I don't believe he's from some(where) off."

Pertinent address:

Fairdealing, Mo.