Gunman Robs Local Liquor Store

Colin Hart
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD—A gunman with a pillowcase over his head pointed a pistol at a clerk and then fled down an alley with $2,845 seconds before the police arrived at the Black Derby Liquor Store at 2311 Ripley Way on April 26th.

A man with a pillowcase over his head entered the store at 7:12 p.m. He pulled out a pistol and demanded that the clerk, Steve Bellinos age 28, empty the contents of the cash register into another pillowcase.

Bellinos, realizing what was happening, was able to trigger a silent alarm within minutes of the robber entering the store, police said.

Police Officers Anne Fulgham and Jose Lopez answered the alarm and arrived at the store at 7:19 p.m. as the gunman was exiting.

When the man saw the police car he started to run, police said, Officer Fulgham acted quickly, shouting a warning and firing a shot at the man. The shot missed, and the man ran down an alley, escaping.

A witness, John Reinicke, 35, was walking down Ripley Way when the incident occurred. “The officers did a great job,” he said. “The guy ran so fast he looked like a track star.”

The Police Internal Security Squad will make a routine investigation of the incident, according to Police Chief Antonio Grasso. Grasso said that such investigations are conducted each time an officer fires a service revolver.

The clerk described the robber as about 6 feet tall and weighing 155 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans and a dirty white T-shirt with a torn right sleeve. Those with any information about the suspect are asked to call the Springfield Police Department or local authorities.

Audio courtesy of Colin Hart

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Sidebar stories:

• Upsurge in Gun Related Crimes in Springfield: click here

Are you worried about a rising crime rates? Comment below.

Shooting in St. Joseph, Missouri Kills Police Officer and Gunman

Colin Hart
Staff Writer



SAINT JOSEPH, MO — A shooting rampage killed a police officer and the gunman, injuring three others near 22nd and Frederick Street here yesterday.

The fallen officer, 28 year-old Bradley Arn, was a first responder to calls about the shooting. As he drove toward the scene, the shooter opened fire, rattling off seven shots from his semi-automatic rifle. One of the seven bullets shattered a window, striking the back of the officer’s head, killing him.

The gunman was described by police officers as a Caucasian male with a Mohawk haircut. He wore camouflage, had pockets full of ammunition, a hunter’s knife on his belt and a loaded shotgun strapped to his back, police said. One eyewitness said it looked like he might have been chanting.

St. Joseph is not a city that often sees violence toward police. The last officer that was killed was in 1991 when he was hit by a car and the last officer shot was in 1944.

After a bullet struck Officer Arn, eyewitnesses saw him slump, obviously no longer manipulating the steering wheel, and then lose control of his vehicle

Roger Liberty, an area resident, said that before police arrived the shooter had been firing repeatedly and randomly. Hearing the police cars coming down the street caused him to turn around and open fire on them.

“It was awful what he did,” said Liberty. He stood talking on his phone on his back porch when he heard what sounded like gunshots, he said. He ran out to Calhoon Street and saw the gunman firing several times and reloading. After he shot the police car being driven by Officer Arn, he ran inside grabbing his 30/30 Winchester rifle. By the time he got back outside and started taking aim, police brought down the gunman.

“This just doesn’t happen in St. Joseph,” said Officer Connors with a tired face. After a heavy sigh he continued, “Officers are shocked to say the very least. Counselors will be made available to them.” Kansas City is sending its own crisis counselors to help officers and witnesses deal with the traumatic events of the past day, police said.

This quiet town has been reeling from the shooting. For some, it’s been a sad wake up call, Liberty said, “It’s awful that’s for sure. I’m sorry it happened. That’s the world we live in now. Even in St. Joe.”

Audio courtesy of Colin Hart.

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Further Reading Related to Officer Arn:

Officer Bradley Arn Profile: click here

Officer Bradley Arn Honor Run: click here

Barn Fire Kills 15 Horses at Race Track

Colin Hart
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD – With their backs ablaze, two horses stampeded out of a burning barn this morning at Lincoln Downs Race Track, the day before the opening season.

A suspected arson fire killed 15 horses at Lincoln Downs Race Track here early this morning, one day before the start of racing season.

Thirteen thoroughbreds and two saddle horses died in the blaze. Ten horses escaped, two of them with their backs ablaze. Blackened wood supports rose from the ashes of the fire that burned from 4 a.m. till about noon.

The fire exploded at the center of the barn said fire chief Bernard Perry. All the electrical outlets and heaters were at the end of the barn not the middle, assistant track manager Dan Bucci said. Fire officials are considering arson in their investigation.

A jockey watching the cleanup said, “Those are my best friends. I love horses more than I do people. I feel like I want to cry.”

Photo caption: (see above) Image taken of the fire at Lincoln Downs Race Track in Springfield just after 4 a.m.