She and my Uncle Denny, own the store that was almost robbed, and Dave Schoeck, who had his vehicle stolen, was my high school gym teacher. This happened on the 8th, and I just found out about it through my sister, Laurie. My grandmother is in the hospital and is going to have triple bypass surgery. I hope thry keep this from her, as it is her daughter this happened to.
http://www.morrissuntribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6638943&BRD=2173&PAG=461&dept_id=466855&rfi=6
| Attempted armed robbery, a stolen vehicle, a school lock-down, and search dogs combined for an exciting day in Hancock on Monday, January 6. As of press time an all out search is underway for a single suspect, a 16-year-old male juvenile, who allegedly caused the turmoil. |
| At ten minutes before 6 a.m. Monday morning, Leann Bye opened the doors at By Lo Gas and Grocery. She turned on the lights, made coffee, and went into the cooler. When she came out, she said a young man was standing at the counter with a pack of gum in his hand. Leann asked for the money for the gum and the boy allegedly pulled out a gun that she said she thought was a pistol. At the time the drawer to the cash register was open, but there was only change inside. Leann told the boy to help himself. The boy allegedly told her that he didn't want the money, but did want a ride to South Dakota. Leann calmly informed him that she was not going to take him anywhere. She said, "I guess you will have to shoot me then because I am not going." He again told her he needed to get to South Dakota and Leann replied that he would have to wait until someone else came along to give him a ride. The boy commented on how calm she was and asked if she goes through this often. Leann said later that she must have been in shock to have stayed calm. She was simply concentrating on not getting him too shook up. About this time, Dave Schoeck, a teacher at the Hancock school, pulled up. Schoeck explained that he was taking his dog Rex for a run in the country but stopped at By Lo for coffee and a paper. He said that he usually does this after the run but on this particular morning his wife had asked him to mail some letters so he stopped first. Schoeck noticed the boy standing in the walk through area near the cash register. He noticed that the papers were not in the store yet so he went back out and brought them in. He also noticed that Leann was looking at him very strangely. After bringing in the papers Schoeck walked over to get a cup of coffee. Looking back toward the counter he said he saw a black object in the boy's hand and he received another "look" from Leann. Schoeck paid for his coffee and paper and was about to leave in search of a phone. He planned to call 911. The young man stopped him before he reached the door, allegedly pointed the gun at him and told Schoeck that he needed a ride to South Dakota. Schoeck replied that he had to go to work and the boy allegedly asked if they wanted him to do something crazy. Schoeck commented later that he was willing to give him what he wanted, but was not going to be the driver. Schoeck held out the keys to his pickup which had a half tank of gas. The boy took the vehicle and left just as Dennis Bye, Leann's husband, walked in from the back. They quickly locked the door and called the police. At about 7:25 a.m., Schoeck, who had just returned home, spotted his dog Rex coming down the street. Schoeck contacted the authorities and told them of the routes Rex would know of to get home. Meanwhile, bus driver Vern Christie reported seeing Schoeck's vehicle in the ditch near Page Lake. Police officers and search dogs followed the trail of the suspect back into Hancock. Several locations were searched and a lock-down was in effect all day at school. Principal Barry Janssen implemented Crisis Management Procedures at the school for the protection of students, teachers, and staff. Several area law enforcement agencies assisted Hancock Police Chief Don Heikkinen. As of press time the suspect is still at large, but it is believed that he has left town. Stevens County Sheriff Randy Willis said there had been no confirmed sightings of the boy as of Wednesday morning. Several other youth had been mistaken for the suspect throughout the area, he said, and reported to the department. When the pickup was found abandoned, Willis said a bloodhound from Pope County was used, and had tracked the boy's scent back into Hancock. A pick up and hold order for the juvenile suspect has been sent out to area law enforcement agencies on behalf of the Hancock Police. |