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For the second day in a row, suspects attempted to steal cash from the Kroger in Maryville — but determined employees again halted the theft on Sunday.

Suspects fled empty handed on Saturday morning during an attempted armed robbery and left with only $20 after a “grab and snatch” on Sunday.

Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said although it does not appear the same suspect committed the crimes on Saturday and Sunday, they do believe that the incidents are related.

At about 7 a.m. Sunday, a suspect entered the Kroger store at 730 Watkins Road, Maryville, and attempted to purchase a package of oatmeal cookies and a roll of paper towels. A cashier took a $10 bill from the suspect, opened the cash register to retrieve the man’s change and the suspect then attempted to “grab and snatch” money from the register, Crisp said.

According to a Maryville police report, the suspect grabbed a $20 bill from the register drawer and the cashier grabbed the suspect by his arms. The suspect was able to free himself from the Kroger employee’s grasp due to the jacket that the suspect was wearing. The cashier said that the suspect then began to run toward
the exit doors.

“The witness (cashier) stated that he chased the suspect and was able to tackle the suspect outside the store — but the suspect again managed to get free,” Maryville Police Officer Raymond Barnhart reported.

The cashier reported that the man got back on his feet and started running around the side of the building. Although employees chased the man who was running toward Belfast Street, they were unable to catch him.

The suspect was described as a white male between 25 to 30 years old with a possible goatee and mustache. Witnesses said he was between 5-feet 11 inches to 6 feet 1 inch in height and weight 155 to 170 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans, a black bubble jacket, brown colored shoes with white shoes laces and a black and white toboggan.

Shortly before 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, a Kroger employee said a man entered the store and approached her as she was entering an area of the store that contained a safe. She said she was carrying two register tills of money when the man attempted to force his way into the area.

The employee said the suspect’s arm was in the doorway, and she slammed the door on his arm. She said the suspect then fled the store and two Kroger employees gave chase but were unable to nab the man, who also fled toward Belfast Street.

Several employees reported that the suspect displayed a handgun and said that the suspect was wearing surgical gloves during the attempted robbery, the report said.
The suspect from Saturday’s incident was described as a white male in his late 20s or early 30s, with no facial hair. Witnesses said he has a slim build and is about 5 feet 11 inches tall. He was wearing jeans and a blue hoodie.

Crisp said that anyone with information on either incident or suspect is encouraged to call the Maryville Police Department 24-hour crime hot line at 380-1388.