Rogers Robbery Suspects Nabbed by Chance and by Design

Residents of Rogers can proudly say when one of that city's police officers was in the right place at the right time Tuesday, it was by design.  They can also be proud of another person, an ordinary citizen who was there by chance and helped.  Working together, they captured two robbery suspects.

SuperAmerica (SA) stores across the Twin Cities have been targeted by armed robbers recently, according to a spokesperson for the Rogers Police Department.  Because of that, a Rogers officer was conducting surveillance of the SA at 21550 Diamond Lake Road Tuesday night.

At 11:15, the surveillance paid off.

"The officer observed an armed robber fleeing the SA store being chased by a male customer," said the spokesperson.  "The suspect was armed with a handgun."

The handgun didn't scare the customer, a 38-year-old, away from his pursuit.

"The customer tackled the suspect a short distance away and the officer took the suspect into custody," said the spokesperson.  "The handgun and stolen cash from SA were recovered at the scene."

A 17-year-old girl was also arrested.  The spokesperson said she drove the robber to the store.

Taking the suspect down did cost the customer a bit.  He suffered minor abrasions.

The city is making sure that's not all that customer receives.  Both he and the officer will receive commendations at the next City Council meeting.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday (August 16) at 7 p.m. in the Rogers Community Room (21201 Memorial Drive).