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Caught On Tape: Man Fires Gun During Maplewood Robbery

By Caroline Lowe, WCCO-TV

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (WCCO) -- Maplewood Police are looking for an armed robber who fired off a round from a sawed-off shotgun at a city liquor store, just missing a clerk. The entire incident was captured on security cameras.

Police hope someone recognizes the man in the video and calls them before he seriously hurts or kills someone.

The video shows the armed robber as he fires a shot into a display case at the White Bear Liquor Store. A clerk was struck with pellets but amazingly was not hurt because the pellets hit material in his sweatshirt instead of his body.

Police say the shooting was totally unprovoked since the clerk was cooperating during the stick up that happened just before 10 p.m. last Thursday.

"We don't know what his motivation was, if it was literally just to intimidate and show that he was serious, or what, but he obviously could have hurt or killed somebody," said Maplewood Police Deputy Chief Dave Kvam.

Police describe the man as Hispanic, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-11, wearing a black mask, black hooded coat or sweatshirt, red gloves and a white bandana.

Police are also seeking a 2001 maroon Jeep Cherokee, which is believed to be involved in the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Maplewood Police Department at 651-249-2600 or the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center at 651-767-0640 outside office hours.

Click on the link below for more from crime reporter Caroline Lowe on recent business robberies.
Crime Notes: Being A Victim Of Business Robberies

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