Update on Shell Robbbery

On Sept 28^th 2011 at approximately 4:40 PM Martinsburg Police responded to the Foxcroft Shell Station located at 1000 Foxcroft Ave. Martinsburg WV for an armed robbery.

Officers were advised that the clerk was robbed at gunpoint by a suspect that had just left the store. The suspect was on surveillance video footage and is described as a black male between 20 and 30 years of age and approximately 5-6 to 6-0 in height.

The suspect was wearing a black sweatshirt, gray jeans black boots and a Detroit Tigers baseball hat. The suspect left the store on foot. After obtaining cash from the cash register.

The suspect did brandish a small black in color pistol at the time of the robbery.

On Sept. 30^th 2011 Martinsburg Police interviewed a subject that actually gave the suspect a ride to the area of the Shell Station at the time of the robbery and identified the surveillance photos of the suspect as someone that was known to him by his street name of “HIT” from New York.

He also advised of what the suspect was wearing when he left the vehicle and how he had changed from his sweat shirt to a white tee shirt when he returned.

This individual also showed police detectives where this suspect  was residing and provided information as to what he was told by another resident of that same apartment, that was also present with them at the time of the robbery indicating that “Hit” was indeed the robber.

On October 1^st 2011 Martinsburg Police responded to a medic assist for a deceased male possibly from an overdose at this same residence.  The residence was 501 West King Street Apartment 4 Martinsburg WV. Police detectives took a statement from the resident of the apartment who advised of the decedent’s, “Hit” involvement in the robbery and also where his firearm was in the apartment. It was also advised that the suspect wanted to perpetrate future robberies possibly in the Hagerstown Maryland area.  Police recovered a loaded 22 caliber two shot derringer black in color which is believed to be the weapon utilized in the Shell Station  robbery.

The suspect was identified as Jose Williams aka “Hit” DOB 12 26 73 formerly from Brooklyn New York. Police also seized other items of evidentiary value possibly related to the Shell Station robbery. The investigation continues.

Martinsburg Police are exploring the possibility that this suspect may have had involvement in the Peppers News Stand robbery on N. Queen Street on Friday Sept. 30^th 2011, however that the case is still under investigation.