Police continue to search for clues in Payette robbery

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:56 AM PST

Larry Hurrle

ARgus Observer

Payette

Police continue to follow up on leads generated from a reverse 911 call Thursday following the armed robbery of the Payette city swimming pool.

Payette Police Chief Mark Clark said officers are continuing to investigate the robbery, in which a man and a woman entered the Payette Pool at approximately 1:54 p.m. and demanded money. The male, Clark said, maneuvered himself into a position behind the 18-year-old city employee placed a gun in her back. Clark said the employee opened the cash register and gave the couple the money inside.

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The employee was then locked in a back room while the suspects left the premisis. Clark said the suspects also took the telephone from the pool and the victim’s cellular telephone. When she was able to get out of the room, approximately 10 minutes later, other customers were in the pool and called police.

Clark said the victim was able to describe the suspects in detail and recognized the couple from approximately 30 days prior, when they had come into the pool asking questions about the facility.

The male suspect is described as being in his 30s or 40s and was approximately 6-feet, 1-inch tall with short, blondish-brown hair and possibly some facial hair such as a goatee.

He had a medium build and was wearing either a black or gray zip-up sweatshirt with blue jeans and dark sunglasses. He was also believed to be carrying a black bag.

The man was carrying a black, semi-automatic handgun.

The female was described as being in her early to mid-20s and was approximately 5-feet, 6-inches tall with shoulder length brown hair with a red or purple tint. She was wearing a black pullover sweatshirt with white lettering and jeans.

Clark said the victim said the couple was driving a 2000 model sports utility vehicle with chrome wheels when she saw them one month ago. Because the victim had seen the suspects in the pool before, Clark said he believes the couple is still in the area.

Clark said surrounding law enforcement agencies have been briefed on the robbery and give composit sketches of the suspects.

Payette County put out a “reverse 911” telephone call to all businesses and residents within a seven block radius of the swimming pool to alert people to the robbery in hope for tips on where the couple may have gone.

“Right now, we’re following up leads from the community and checking on all sightings of people who may match the suspect description,” Clark said.

Clark said police are also canvassing the downtown Payette area and asking businesses if they have seen anyone resembling the suspects.

Following the incident, a person was sighted near Payette High School who could have matched the description.

Police responded to the area along U.S. Highway 95, but after reaching the person, police were able to dismiss him as a suspect.

Both Payette High School and Westside Elementary School were put in a lockdown situation for a short time after the robbery.

Clark said officials know how much money was taken from the pool but could not yet release the amount taken.

He also would not name the victim in the case.

Currently, he said, police have no suspects. Anyone with information concerning the robbery is asked to call the Payette Police Department at (208) 642-6026.

If people see someone fitting the description of the couple, officials urge them not to approach the couple, but call 911.