A brief clip on the “Nancy Grace” show on the HLN channel Friday has resulted in a bit of a boost in the investigation.
“The show produced a few calls,” said Det. Chad Allen. “Some of them related to the leads we were looking at.”
The would-be robber, who brandished a knife, ran away when the desk clerk refused to cooperate with his demands, stepped away from the desk and began to call 911.
Det. Sgt. Matthew Jones said officials with the Nancy Grace show contacted Sanford Police about the attempted robbery. After an interview, the clip aired in the show’s crime stoppers section. The clip can be viewed on the Sanford Police Dept. Facebook page.
A video released by police shows the man pacing outside before entering the motel lobby and then attempting to wrest a laptop computer away from the desk clerk after she refuses to hand over money. Then, the would-be robber picked up a large candy dish and began waving it over his head.
Some still photographs show the man holding together the hood of a sweatshirt in an apparent attempt to hide his face.
The suspect is a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 170 to 180 pounds and thought to be in his 20s.
The videos may be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/SanfordPD.
Police are asking that anyone with information about the identity of the robber or has information about the robbery to call Allen at 324-9170, ext. 223. After hours, call the Sanford Police Depart. at 324-3644. Folks may always leave an anonymous tip by texting keyword SANFORD to CRIMES (274637) followed by the information, or may submit a tip online at: www.tipsubmit.com.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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