The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office is searching for suspects involved in an armed robbery of a conveniences store in Milton-Freewater on Friday.
Around 6:30 a.m. on Friday, two men entered the First Stop Mart on Highway 11 and ordered the store employee to open the store safe at gunpoint.
According to the UCSO, one of the suspects fired one round from a silver revolver at an electronic device related to the internet connection at the store.
Meanwhile, a customer entered the store during the robbery and the second suspect indicated he had a gun and took the customer’s wallet. With the employee unable to open the safe, both suspects left the store and drove away in a black Honda, possibly a Civic or similar model.
A short time later, residents near Appleton and Tum a Lum Roads, about a mile away from the First Stop Mart, reported that a vehicle was on fire in an orchard. The vehicle matched the description of the robbery suspect’s vehicle, which was stolen from Milton-Freewater the day before. Deputies learned later that one of the suspects stole a butane lighter/torch from the store.
The first suspect is described as possibly a white male, unknown age, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing blue jeans. His face was covered, according to the store employee.
The second suspect is described as a male, unknown age and race, approximately 5’6” to 5’9” tall, wearing blue jeans, tan work boots, a dark colored ball cap, and had a black backpack. The suspect’s face was covered with a light blue bandana.
