Arrest Warrant Issued in Marathon Station Robbery

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA["There's no money," said Du Quoin Assistant Chief of Police Jamie Ellermeyer of a hard luck suspect for whom an arrest warrant was issued Friday in a robbery last week at the Marathon food mart in Du Quoin.

Ellermeyer said the arrest warrant was issued for John "Rex" Lowe, 46 of Du Quoin who entered the Marathon service station and food mart near the intersection of Rt. 14 and 51. The station is the former Willi Oil Co. Rt. 51 station next to the Perfection Club restaurant.

Assistant Chief Ellermeyer said that while the woman clerk at the food mart was led to believe there was a weapon Ellermeyer says it now appears there was no weapon.

The suspect entered th gas station wearing a motorcycle helmet and made a demand for money, escaping with about $500.

A surveillance camera caught the suspect's Kia Spectra on tape and police benefitted from a partial license plate number during their investigation.

Ellermeyer said Lowe had borrowed a car fitting that make and model and had used the car throughout the day before allegedly committing the the robbery.

"The warrant is for aggravated robbery," said Ellermeyer. That is a Class I felony. If a weapon had been used in the robbery, the charge would be armed robbery, a Class "X" felony.

Both witnesses and people who know Lowe say despite the fact that the suspect was wearing a motorcycle helmet, Lowe has a distinct walk which matches what was seen in the surveillance tape.

Lowe routinely rides a 2007 white Harley sportster motorcycle with a license plate BE6128. If you see this motorcycle or know Lowe's whereabouts, Ellermeyer asks that you contact his department at 542-2131.

The assistant chief said the department is not releasing a photograph of Lowe in case a suspect lineup is necessary as part of the investigation. He does not want to influence witness identification of the man.

"There are no jobs," he said of Lowe's hard luck situation. "He had lost his job (and needed money)," said Ellermeyer.

Ellermeyer said several townspeople say they know the man. He apparently has no criminal record and at some point in the past was helpful in another police matter involving a family member.