News

Masked robber 'no amateur,' store owner says

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — North Andover police are searching for the person or people responsible for burglarizing a convenience store and leaving behind quite a bit of damage.

Police were called to the Richdale Convenience Store on Chickering Road Monday after receiving reports of the robbery.

“They cut a hole through my roof,” store owner Kevin Sharpe told Boston 25 News. “The ceiling came down through the overhang into the store.”

And Sharpe said the masked robber was no amateur. The unidentified robber used a hammer to try and destroy the video surveillance system.

“(The police) have his picture on the camera before he broke it,” Sharpe said.

There are also photos of the man facing the camera. After he broke all of the cameras he cut open the safe and stole the previous day’s receipts.

Sharpe said he just wants him identified and arrested.

“Obviously I’d like to see the guy caught,” he said. “I think I’ve earned my money. I don’t think he deserves my money.”

The robber is described as a heavier set white or light skinned Hispanic male and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, half-face mask and gloves.

He was able to get away with about 50 cartons of cigarettes worth about $5,000 and an undisclosed amount of money.