No capture yet in Clarkesville armed robbery

CLARKESVILLE - Despite rapid and decisive response from law enforcement personnel, the reported suspect in an armed robbery at Westside BP in Clarkesville evaded capture Monday.

Clarkesville Police Chief Brad Barrett said police were searching for a 5-foot-11 white male in his mid-20s with dark, short hair. The man was said to be wearing blue jeans and a burgandy shirt.

"Right now what we've got is a possible armed robbery that occurred around 2 o'clock," Barrett said.

The suspect reportedly fled on foot from the store.

Clarkesville police were on the scene quickly after being dispatched, with assistance arriving from the Habersham County Sheriff's Office and other agencies within moments.

Local, state, and even federal law enforcement officers saturated the area on Highway 115 around the store within minutes of the call.

"We've had K9 units from Habersham County Sheriff's Office and Lee Arrendale State Prison, and GSP's aviation unit in the area and we've been unable to come up with anything at this time," Barrett said.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers saturated the area on Highway 115 around the store within minutes of the call.

"We've had assistance from the Habersham County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division, and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, to name just a few," Barrett said.

That assistance came in the form of a half-dozen troopers from GSP, three state MCCD officers, and more than a dozen Habersham County Sheriff's Office employees, including patrol officers, canine officers, investigators, administrators, and detention officers. A half-dozen Clarkesville police officers also were involved at some point during the search.

In addition, a GSP helicopter coordinated with ground personnel in an attempt to locate the suspect.

Officers are hoping someone saw someone or something unusual at Westside BP on Highway 115 across from Clarkesville Veterinary Clinic and Clarkesville Elementary School Monday afternoon.

"At this time, we don't have anything other than just the description that I gave you of the white male," Barrett said.

The incident remains under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Clarkesville Police Department.

The suspect in Monday's reported robbery should be considered armed and dangerous.

"At this point, he's said to have a black handgun in his possession," Barrett said. "That's unconfirmed at this time."

Asked if anyone was hurt following the reported robbery, Barrett said, "Not that we're aware of thus far."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Habersham County E-9-1-1 Center at (706) 778-3911 and request that a Clarkesville police officer contact them; or they can call the GBI Tip Line at 1 (800)-597-TIPS (8477).