Robbery suspect photos released

CELINA, Ohio - (WANE) - Police in Celina, Ohio are investigating an apparent armed robbery attempt at a video store from the weekend. The suspect may be the same person who robbed a different store in October.

At closing time on Saturday night, a man tried to enter the Family Video store on Market Street.  According to police, he was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, gloves and a black ski mask.  The store had just closed and the door was locked when the suspect tried to enter.  He did try to force the door open, but when that failed he took off on foot.

Police were able to track the suspect for a short time with a K-9 unit, but they lost the trail at a point where the suspect likely got into a vehicle.

The man is described as being about six feet tall with a slender build.

The description is similar to the one of a man who robbed the Dollar General Store on Havemann Road in October.  That robbery took place on a Sunday afternoon.  In that case, the suspect was also tracked a short distance by a K-9 unit before the trail was lost.

Police also released a photo of a dark blue minivan or SUV that can be seen going eastbound on Havemann Road.  They believe the vehicle is linked to the suspect.

The suspect may have parked the vehicle on a residential street and walked towards a business district.  Police urge residents to call them if they see someone park in a residential area who then walks toward a business district.

Anyone with information that might be helpful to the investigation is asked to call the Celina Police Department at 419-586-2345.