Managers, clerks combine to safeguard stores
Surveillance systems, locals protect workers
Surveillance systems, locals protect workers
Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo
The Stop N Go in Winthrop, Mo., was the scene of a recent assault on a clerk during a robbery.
BOLCKOW, Mo. — Lisa Nichols’ eyes almost never seem to leave a video monitor in the office of a lonely convenience store in northern Andrew County.
As manager, Ms. Nichols relies on the monitor to help ensure the store’s safety. The monitor represents one precaution taken at the Shop & Hop on U.S. Highway 71 near Bolckow, Mo. The business is located on an isolated stretch of the road between Savannah and Maryville. The recent attack on a night clerk at the Stop N Go store in Winthrop, Mo., highlights crime prevention at such establishments.
A co-worker of Kimberly Dejonge — the clerk whose throat was slashed in the Stop N Go incident — said her condition continues to improve. Clerk Erin Fetty said Ms. Dejonge returned home from Heartland Regional Medical Center Thursday and is scheduled to visit a throat specialist.
“She’s still not speaking,” Ms. Fetty said. “She’s back in high spirits.”
Things at the Shop & Hop have changed for the better since the 1997 shotgun murder of Gracie Hixson there during a robbery. Three men later pleaded guilty to her murder.
The video system and recorder were installed later that year, before a state deadline that required all convenience stores to have cameras.
It’s not the only thing that Ms. Nichols says the store counts on to prevent trouble.
“We’ve got better surveillance,” she said. “We’ve got two people who work at night.”
Mrs. Hixson often worked alone during her night shifts.
The late-night and early-morning coffee drinkers and truck drivers form other arms of protection at the store, Ms. Nichols added.
“Our locals do an awesome job of keeping track of us,” she said. “They take real good care of us.
“We get drive-bys by the (Missouri State) Highway Patrol and the Andrew County Sheriff’s Department,” she said.
A Holt County convenience store slaying nearly 23 years ago still remains unsolved. Peggy Horseman worked as a clerk in Mound City when she was shot in the head during a robbery at the King’s store. Holt County Sheriff Kirby Felumb said there have been few leads in the case ever since.
“Of course, it’s never been closed,” he said.
A Web site detailing the case has helped develop leads, but nothing solid that points to a suspect.
“It brought the public awareness back up,” Mr. Felumb said of the Internet presence.
Violent convenience store crimes have been uncommon in Andrew County, according to Prosecuting Attorney Steve Stevenson. One pending case involves a forcible robbery at a County Line Road convenience store, he said.
“It was forcible in that the guy reached across and took a product from across the counter,” Mr. Stevenson said.
“We were fortunate and got him,” he added.
Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.
This story has 17 comments. Click here to join in on the discussion.
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Great picture guys...the guy in the bandana and the other half shirtless guy really capture the essence of convenience stores. Priceless.
Posted by Anoneemus on July 2, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)I was thinking maybe we were seeing a pre-crime snapshot. You know the guy with the open shirt is going to drink on that pic for weeks! Sexy beast that he is!! I'm pretty sure there are some teeth missing there.
Posted by biggieroth on July 2, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)Maybe they were all in line for Trails West buttons?
Posted by azmaggie on July 2, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)These guys look like hard working men that get dirty when they work. I am sure their money spends just as good at the store as yours would. Not everyone can dress in a suit to go to work!!!
Posted by Anoneemus on July 2, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)True az, but I do happen to work in a factory and have for quite a while. Most of the guys here are on par with bandana guy. But I've not seen anyone like no-shirt guy. Maybe he took his partial out to go to the store. Idk, idc...
Posted by Mr_America on July 2, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)I think just about anybody can button a shirt. Do they have an "Idiot's Guide to Shirt Buttoning"?
Posted by azmaggie on July 2, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)OH well, Yes he knew he was going to be in the paper and he should have buttoned his shirt. He probably would have just had to take it off when he went back out to work in the HOT sun and not some air conditioned factory. GET REAL. If fact he might just clean up real good after work!!!
Posted by Anoneemus on July 2, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)Okay maybe he does odd jobs and can take his shirt off to work in the oh so hot sun. But I really don't know of any business that allows their workers to go without shirts, including landscapers and roofers. It's unprofessional and usually the shirt is advertising. I don't know what air conditioned factory you work in, but I don't work in the meat packing industry and have never been in one of their factories - so I'm guessing those are the air conditioned ones.
And I do want to point out that MOST people button their shirts when they leave, if not their house - at the very least - their property. But I gotta say I think your last comment is maybe the most telling as to why you are so offended by those of us that DO button up our shirts and find it tasteless and tacky when others don't.
Posted by Mr_America on July 2, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)azmaggie,
Posted by azmaggie on July 2, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)You assume he has a job, he works outside, and knows how to button his shirt. I say he has no job, is going to buy smokes, booze and a power ball ticket with money he borrowed from his mother's bingo winnings unbeknownst to her. I bet I'm closer to the truth.
Go spend a day in a hay filed and then see what you look like. Many years ago we had a roommate that was a roofer, he really looked bad when he came home from work; BUT when he went to pick up his lady he looked like Prince Charming. Just don't judge someone by a picture you see in the paper!!!
Posted by Mr_America on July 2, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)That sounds like a great rags to slightly cleaner rags story. I could be wrong, but I think az has the hots for that unbuttoned romeo.
Posted by azmaggie on July 2, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)You are very wrong!! I just don't judge people by pictures!!
Posted by familyguy on July 3, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)It's called Photoshop, SJNP. Use the Crop tool next time. Sheesh! : )
Posted by biggieroth on July 3, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)Familyguy...exactly!!
Maybe he was buying sudafed and lithium batteries. You know, for his new digital camera and his allergies.
Posted by 4wildones on July 4, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)News Press I can't believe you are letting these people criticize this gentleman in the picture because his shirt is unbuttoned. They are acusing him of doing drugs, being a loser, and being of low intelligence. It's very rude and I would say defamation. No it is not the best choice of picture you could have taken and I find it offensive when people go into public facilities with their shirts undone like that but NO WAY would I ever accuse the person of being a druggy or a loser or anything else because of it. And what is wrong with the bandana? Who knows? He could be riding a motorcycle and just left the helmet outside. The majority of the comments about this article should be removed. None of them are about the article anyway, they are just about the photo.
Posted by rush620 on July 5, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)4wildones - please consider the poster's. Critisizing seems to be what biggieroth and some of the others do best.
Posted by biggieroth on July 6, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)It's called humor. Lighten up.
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