MPD seeks suspect who robbed store owner

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The Manning Police Department is looking for a suspect who grabbed money from a local store owner and fled early Monday morning. Inv. Rick Elms said a black male wearing a black hoodie and grey shorts approached the owner of T's Express at Church and Boyce streets about 5 a.m Monday while the man was opening the store. "As he was opening up, the suspect grabbed a bag of money from the owner," Elms said. "The bag tore, and money kind of got everywhere. The victim was able to get some of it back, but the suspect made out with some of it." Elms declined to provide the exact amount of the suspect allegedly took due to the ongoing investigation. He said the suspect then ran off toward the Lincoln Park area of town. The suspect is described as a 5-foot-10 to 6-foot black male weighing between 180-190 pounds. He was also wearing a black bandana over his face during the incident, Elms said. "I feel this fellow had to have been watching the owner for a while," Elms said. "How else would you know he was there at that time of day?" Manning Police Chief Blair Shaffer has said in the past that any local business owners or employees carrying money into their establishments, or just leaving late, can call police for extra security. "They can call us and have us sit there as they enter or exit their business," Elms said. "Especially if they're coming or going really late or early in the morning. We're happy to do that."