BLACK DERBY LIQUOR STORE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

At 7:12 p.m., just as the sun began to lower behind the trees, Steve Bellinos feared for his life for the first time, as a man robbed the Black Derby Liquor Store at 2311 Ripley Way. The owner of the store, Ralph Martinson, said about $2,845 was taken.
The man entered the store and took out a pistol. Then he demanded that the clerk empty the contents of the cash register into a pillowcase.
Fearing for his life, Bellinos did as the gunman demanded. As he opened the register he triggered the silent alarm. He hoped that the police would arrive soon.
Police officers Anne Fulgham and Jose Lopez arrived on the scene at 7:19 p.m., just as the gunman was leaving the store.
The officers got slowly out of their car. “We were hoping that he wouldn’t notice us first off. That way we could get to him before he bolted.” Officer Lopez said.
When he saw the police car, he took off running into an alley, police said.
Officer Fulgham immediately shouted a warning at the gunman. When he didn’t respond she fired a shot at him and missed, according to the police.
The officers took off running after the gunman and after a long chase he finally got away. Officer Fulgham said that it was as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Area resident, John Paul Reinicke, 35, was walking down Ripley Way when the crime took place. "The officers did a great job,” he said, “The guy ran so fast he looked like a track star.”
Police Chief Antonio said that right now there is no way to tell who or where the gunman is.
“The worst part is, is that as long as nobody comes forward with some information, all we can do is wait until another robbery occurs. But at this point the possibility of another robbery doesn’t seem likely. This is the first robbery in Springfield for as long as I can remember.” Chief Antonio said.