Hooded sweatshirt robbers hit To-Go mart

The Tesoro To-Go Mart convenience store on Knik-Goose Bay Road was robbed in the early morning hours of Sept. 29 by an adult white man who wore a hooded sweatshirt and a bandana, and used a claw hammer to threaten store employees.

Alaska State Troopers responded to the reported robbery at the store located at Mile 4 Knik-Goose Bay Road, near Fairview Loop Road. According to the troopers' report, cashiers said that a white man with dark hair and dark eyes, wearing a blue pullover-style hooded sweatshirt, blue trousers, gloves and masked with a blue bandana, entered the store brandishing a claw hammer. The robber threatened the cashier and a second employee with the hammer and demanded money. The cashier complied with his demand, and the perpetrator fled with a small amount of cash to a vehicle waiting near the store.

Although the car sped away from the scene, the cashier was able to provide a description of the vehicle's distinctive taillights and the direction of travel. That information was dispatched over the radio and heard by Wasilla Police Officer Kelly Swihart, who was patrolling in the area. Swihart diverted to the Fairview Loop Road area where he observed a car meeting the description of the suspect vehicle heading east on Fairview Loop Road near mile 5.

Swihart conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver of the vehicle, Theodore J. Halan, 22, of Palmer. A 16-year-old girl was also in the car. With Halan's permission, the officer searched the vehicle and discovered Jesse A. Rice, 19, of Talkeetna, hiding in the trunk. Rice was wearing clothes matching those of the alleged robber, and other items of evidence were found in the trunk linking Rice to the robbery.

The suspects were taken back to the store where the victims identified Rice as the person who allegedly robbed the store, and Halan and the girl as two customers who had come into the store just prior to the robbery.

According to an affidavit accompanying court documents that charge Rice with first-degree robbery and two counts of third-degree assault, he denied being at the To-Go Mart and denied any involvement in the robbery. Rice reportedly told investigator Margie Escobar he had been hiding in the trunk because he was going to surprise a friend for his birthday.

The affidavit also contains statements from the investigator's interview with Halan. Halan reportedly said that he gave Rice a ride to the To-Go Mart knowing that Rice intended to rob the store. He and Rice had discussed the policy of convenience stores for employees to give up money without resistance. Halan said that he had driven to the Tesoro where he and the girl made purchases of snacks and cigarettes before returning to the car where Rice was waiting, according to the court documents. Halan reportedly said that he told Rice there were two clerks working in the store. They got back into the car and Halan parked the car between the Tesoro and the liquor store facing the road. Halan and the girl waited in the car while Rice committed the robbery, Halan reportedly told Escobar. Halan and Rice were arrested and taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility. Halan was charged with first-degree robbery and released with $4,000 bail to a court-approved, third-party custodian. Rice remained in custody at MSPTF as of Oct. 3, in lieu of $25,000 bail.

The 16-year-old was released to a parent.

The incident continues a recent series of robberies of local businesses, in which the suspect was a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and bandana. The hooded-sweatshirt crime wave began in mid-summer with the robbery of Knik Kountry Video. In rapid succession, masked and hooded robbers hit Mat-Su Cinema, Mocha Moose Espresso Stand, a Williams Express gas station and Knik Kountry Video for a second time in August. In each case, police reports stated that the robber wore a hooded sweatshirt and a bandana covering the face, although physical descriptions of the suspects varied.

Escobar said that Wasilla and Palmer police officers and Alaska troopers investigating the various hold-ups have not yet determined if there is a link between this case and the previous ones.

"Hooded sweatshirts and bandanas are pretty standard garb for these crimes," she added. "We have provided the information to the agencies and individuals investigating the unsolved cases, but it's too early now to determine if they are related."

Escobar also said that Wasilla police officers are to be commended for the quick apprehension of the alleged KGB robbers.

"Monitoring the radio so that the officer was able to intercept the vehicle represents extremely good police work," she said.