Police say they are searching for at least two men connected to string of robberies

Surveillance video still of the man who robbed the Laurel Lake Shell Sunday night.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies say they are searching for at least two men in connection with the four robberies in the north Corbin area over the last two weeks.

“We don’t think all four are connected,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer concerning the robberies at Laurel Lake Shell, Unique Tanning and Gifts (tobacco store), and the BP/Krystal store, which was hit twice in three days.

Acciardo noted each of the robberies occurred in the same manner. A lone gunman walked into the store, produced a semi automatic handgun and demanded money from the clerk. After the clerk complied, the robber fled the scene on foot.

However, based on video surveillance and witness descriptions, Acciardo said the robbers do not appear to be the same person.

In the initial robbery at BP/Krystal on March 22, the clerk described the robber as a white male, 40 to 50 years old, weighing 200 to 210 pounds with a gray beard.

The same clerk was on duty when the store was robbed again on March 25. Based on the information, detectives said they believe the same individual committed both robberies.

The tobacco store on U.S. 25W was targeted Friday night.

Acciardo previously stated that about 7:50 p.m., the robber walked up to the drive-thru window, pointed a pistol at the attendant and demanded money.

The clerk complied and the robber fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a white male, tall, thin, 25 to 30 years old, with dirty blonde hair and a goatee. He was wearing a plain blue hoody and armed with a black colored pistol.

Based on the description, Acciardo said it did not appear to be the same person that robbed the BP/Krystal.

The most recent target was the Shell gas station on Ky. 770, which was robbed about 9:20 p.m. Sunday.

The suspect is described as a white male, medium build, age not determined. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white Nike emblem across the front and a brown coat with a hood over his head. In addition, he had a blue bandanna over his head.

As part of the investigation, Acciardo said deputies have checked with law enforcement in neighboring jurisdictions, but have found nothing to indicate these robberies may be part of a larger spree.

Cumberland Valley Crime Stopper is offering a $1,000 reward for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the robberies.

Anyone with information is asked to call crime stoppers, 606-878-CRIM.