Two Sikeston businesses robbed in one 24-hour period

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two robberies occurring within 24 hours of one another are under investigation by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

Police responded to Rhodes 101 Convenience Store, 535 N. Main St., around 3:21 a.m. Wednesday, after a clerk contacted police explaining she had just been robbed. When officers arrived they learned the suspect had fled westbound on foot.

The clerk said the suspect came into the store and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun, according to Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for DPS. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and left the area on foot.

The victim wasn't hurt during the incident and described the suspect as a man around 20 years old, 6 feet tall and having a thin build. The man was wearing a black zip-up hooded sweat shirt, jeans and a red bandanna over his face.

About 10:15 a.m. Tuesday the owner of the Smith Street Flea Market called officers to his business at 712 Smith St., McMillen said. The owner said he was working at the store when a man came in and asked if the owner had change for a $100 bill. The man snatched the money from the owner's hands as he pulled it out to break the large bill.

The suspect is described as a man around 40 years old and 5-feet, 9-inches tall with a medium build and medium-length dark hair. The owner said the man left east on Smith Street in a light-colored (possibly white) vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Anyone with information regarding either robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (573) 471-1500 or contact the department at 573-471-4711. Anyone with information that leads to a conviction will be eligible for a cash reward.