Northeast News
December 14, 2011

Crime scene tape blocked off Gems Liquor Store Dec. 6 as police investigated the scene of an armed robbery.

Kansas City Police officers were dispatched to the store, 5522 St. John Ave., after receiving a call from the store clerk.

Upon arrival, officers found the store clerk lying on the floor behind the cashier’s counter with a laceration to the right side of her head. A plastic zip tie was tied around her left wrist.

The clerk told police that at 9:50 a.m. she heard knocking coming from the rear door of the store. A male voice said, “It’s your brother, Frankie! Open the door!”

When she opened the door, two men entered wearing ski masks and all black clothing. The first suspect grabbed her by the throat and forced her to the ground, the clerk told police. Both suspects pointed their handguns at her head. The first suspect then struck the clerk several times on the head with the butt of the gun and made several threats. Suspect 1 forced the clerk to the cashier counter and told her to open the safe. The clerk obliged and both men tied her hands behind her back using plastic zip ties.

Both men took an unknown amount of cash and several liquor bottles, and fled the building.

The clerk then freed her right hand to phone police. EMS transported the clerk to North Kansas City Hospital for treatment.

The suspects are described as two black males and detectives are following up on leads. No suspects have been taken into custody.