Store robbers shoot, wound cashier
Despite cooperating with a pair of robbers, a Green Valley Grocery cashier was shot in the head early Wednesday by one of the suspects, who was armed with a .22-caliber sawed-off rifle, Las Vegas police said.
The victim, thought to be about 60, was being watched late Wednesday at University Medical Center. Police said they thought the man would live.
The robbery occurred about 3:30 a.m., when a man and woman entered the store in the 4000 block of Lamb Boulevard and Alexander Road, police said. The man made the cashier open the register, and the woman took money from it, police said. The amount taken was not released.
Afterward, the male robber shot the cashier in the face, and the robbers fled.
Sgt. Chris Tomaino of the robbery unit said that the robbers had no reason to shoot the man.
"He was cooperative. He did everything you are supposed to. This was coldblooded and very violent for no apparent reason," Tomaino said.
Tomaino speculated that the robbers might have been trying to make a name for themselves with a peer group.
Investigators have not connected the robbers to any other incidents and are hoping to get help from the public in identifying who robbed the store. Police released video images Wednesday.
But there is little for authorities to go on.
The store sits alone at Lamb and Alexander. A warehouse-type structure is across the street, and some residences are nearby, but the grocery store was the only business open at the time of the robbery.
Police were hoping the victim, whose name was not released, soon will be able to help with the investigation.
"He's expected to survive. He's got some significant injuries, and he lost a lot of blood," Tomaino said.
The man sought in the shooting is described as being in his early 20s, standing about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and weighing about 185 pounds.
The woman appears to be in her 20s, standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighing about 140 pounds.
In a photo released by police, both appear to have dark skin and are dressed in mostly black clothing. The woman is wearing a pink handkerchief or scarf on her head, and the man is wearing a black baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to call the robbery unit at 828-3591 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
