Salvation Army Thrift Store Armed Robber

On December 18, 2017, at approximately 8:37 PM, the Portsmouth Police Department was called to the Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 2458 Lafayette Rd for a report of an armed robbery.  Upon arrival officers located two employees who reported while exiting the store after closing they were approached in the parking lot by a white male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask pointing a gun at them asking for the money bag.  The suspect obtained the bag and fled on foot towards Lafayette Rd.  The two employees returned to the store and called police.

A New Hampshire State Police K-9 responded to the scene and assisted in a track.  During a canvas of the areas of Constitution Avenue and Banfield Road items of evidence were recovered.  The suspect is described as a white male wearing all black, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall with a thin build.

The Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with any information or people who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area.

If you have any information concerning this investigation, Portsmouth Police are asking you contact Detective Matthew Hester at (603) 610-7502 

Or you may also choose to remain anonymous by reporting any information to Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling (603) 431-1199, texting CRIMES (274637) and including TIPSCS in the message, or you may submit a confidential tip online by visiting the Seacoast Crime Stoppers website at www.seacoastcrimestoppers.com or the Facebook page.  Rewards of up to $1,000.00 may be paid for help solving cases if the information leads to the arrest or indictment of a suspect(s).

Released by Lieutenant Mark Newport, Investigative Division, for Chief Robert Merner