Detectives are investigating an attempted armed robbery at a convenience store where a uniformed Phoenix police officer witnessed the crime but failed to call it in or report it, according to multiple sources.
The August 11th incident was captured on surveillance cameras at the Circle K near 35th Avenue and Thomas Road.
The city is also asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect and is offering a $1,000 reward.
Police spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Howard said he couldn’t discuss much about the situation citing legal reasons.
But Howard added that the female officer, who was working at the store in an off-duty capacity, is currently “assigned to an administrative position.”
In the video, a masked suspect armed with a knife is seen walking into the store and immediately heads to get behind the counter.
The store’s clerk yells to the back of the store where the officer is standing. As she quickly moves to the front of the store, the suspect heads for the door.
But before he exits, he turns and appears to begin yelling back and forth with the officer.
Phoenix police released limited clips of the video, and the video cuts away from the officer as the suspect stands at the door.
But multiple sources tell ABC15 that the officer draws her gun, holds it “gangster style” (sideways), and makes a motion with the gun like she’s shooing away a fly.
During the exchange, the suspect stands at the door and appears to mock the officer, giving her a thumbs up, and even taking off his mask before he casually leaves the store.
Sources told ABC15 that the officer didn’t call the robbery attempt in or write a report about what happened. Other officers later responded to take a report.
Anyone with information about the suspect in the video is asked to call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS. A copy of the crime bulletin with pictures of the suspect is below.
Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com.
17-2553 Flyer - Att Armed Robbery CK 35th Ave by Dave Biscobing on Scribd
