WYANDOTTE, Mich. (WXYZ) — A local gas station clerk made a quick decision that police say saved his life.
Back on Dec. 28 around 4:30 a.m., Wyandotte police say a masked gunman, covered from head to toe, hid outside a gas station on Biddle until there were no customers inside. When the gunman saw that the lone clerk was outside the glass enclosure, he pounced.
Surveillance video shows the gunman ordering the clerk to the register and demanding the cash. He also orders the clerk to fill a bag with cigarettes and demands more cash.
"This poor clerk is in an execution-style pose thinking he's going to lose his life," says Deputy Chief Archie Hamilton with the Wyandotte Police Department.
RECOGNIZE HIS SHOES? Police say this masked man robbed and attempted to abduct a young gas station clerk - although his face is covered - his shoes may be the key... @WXYZPrakash with the story TONIGHT on 7 Action News pic.twitter.com/3R42xw7iEY
— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) January 8, 2020
Police say the gunman even demanded the clerk's car keys, but in all the chaos the clerk couldn't find them. Then, the gunman made a move that even surprised police.
"It's very uncommon for someone who's going to do a robbery to take this type of action, but he forced the clerk outside at gunpoint," Hamilton said. "He let the clerk know if he didn't come with him, he was going to shoot him."
Once outside, police say the gunman was a few steps ahead of the clerk. That's when the clerk made a run for it and went back inside the gas station. He locked the door and called 911.
"He knew if he got in the vehicle with (the) suspect we could be talking about something different right now," Hamilton said.
The vehicle police are looking for is a believed to be a burgundy GMC or Chevy pickup truck with silver trim from wheel to wheel.
Even though surveillance video shows the gunman is masked and covered from head to toe, police are hoping someone recognizes his shoes because they "stand out."
"My message to the suspect is enjoy freedom because it's not gonna last long," Deput Chief Hamilton said.
If you have any information on who that suspect is, please call Wyandotte police.
