Posted July 30, 2003
(See another related story below)
4-corners Suspect arrested
NEW RICHMOND NEWS: An armed robbery suspect, who eluded authorities for nearly eight months, has been arrested and charged with the crime. Rebecca Camille Keller, 51, of River Falls, is charged in connection with the December, 2002 robbery of a convenience store in the Town of Cylon. The store, then known as Auto Stop, is located at the corner of Hwys. 64/63 and 46 - commonly referred to as the four corners. Sheriff's deputies arrested Keller this past Thursday after executing a search warrant at her home. Items confiscated at and near the residence include two pistol-type BB guns and a bank bag similar to one used to carry $997 away from the convenience store. Investigators caught up with Keller after receiving a tip from one of the clerk's working at the convenience store the night of the robbery. The former clerk, who now works at a New Richmond financial institution, called deputies after waiting on Keller, saying she recognized her voice from the robbery. After reviewing both the bank tape and a surveillance tape taken at the convenience store at the time of the robbery, investigators saw similarities and began to look into Keller. In a statement to sheriff's investigators, Keller acknowledged robbing the store to pay gambling debts.
Robbery at the 4-corners
By: Julie Shehane-Bannink
December 17, 2002
New Richmond News
St. Croix County Sheriff's deputies are searching for the man they say held up a Stanton convenience store at gunpoint Friday night. Reports say a white male took an undetermined amount of cash from the Auto Stop Convenience Store after displaying a silver and black handgun to the two clerks working that night. The store is located at the corner of Hwys. 64/63 and 46 - commonly called the four corners - in Stanton Township.
According to sheriff's reports, a white male entered the store at about 8:15 p.m. after pumping gasoline into a late model S.U.V. After using the bathroom, reports say the man then approached a female clerk behind the counter, showed her the gun and ordered her to get her co-worker. Once both clerks were behind the counter, reports indicate the man instructed them to empty money from both cash registers. After taking an undetermined amount of money, reports say the man left the store and fled eastbound on Hwy. 63/64 towards Cylon in a late model maroon S.U.V., possibly a Chevrolet Blazer. St. Croix County Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said no customers were inside the store when the incident began. However, a woman and small child entered the store as the man was driving away. "A woman and small child came into the store right after the man left, so the only thing the female clerk could say was that he headed eastbound," Hillstead explained. "She grabbed the customers and ran into a room and locked the door."
The gunman is described as a white male in his mid 30's with brown hair that is somewhere between 5'7" and 5'9" tall. He was described as weighing about 210-220 pounds. Reports say that the man walked with a limp and looked to have an injured or disabled left arm. Anyone with information as to the man's possible identity is asked to call the St. Croix County Sheriff's Department at 715-381-4320 or 715-386-4701. Hillstead said at this time, he believes the robbery is an isolated incident.
