Du Quoin police have heightened presence around Casey's, other stores following hold-ups in area

Du Quoin Chief of Police Jamie Ellermeyer said late Tuesday his staff is heightening patrols around the two Du Quoin Casey's stores, the Marathon station on Rt. 51 south of Du Quoin, the west side Shell station and other late night businesses after a string of five armed roberies in Southern Illinois.

"I have spoken to a woman named Julie Zoeckler at the Tamaroa Casey's who supervises the Casey's in Du Quoin," said Ellermeyer. He said employees of the convenience store are showing their concern. They are also showing their preparedness and vigilance, he said, as the dialogue between the police and the store staffs grows stronger. Ellermeyer said staff members are well-trained and all stores have great surveillance systems, but the suspects in recent holdups are well-masked with knitted face masks and hoodie sweatshirts.

The chief said officers are stopping in to check on staff members and are very visible on the streets surrounding the businesses.

Herrin police have released surveillance video of an armed robbery Monday at Jumpin' Jimmy's convenience store in Herrin. The hold-up happened at 8:20 p.m. at the store on Park Avenue.

A man entered the store, pointed a dark handgun at the clerk and demanded money.

It was the fifth armed robbery in Southern Illinois this month. There were four convenience stores robbed and a bank robbery.

A convenience store in Elkville was robbed Saturday night, followed by a hold up at a Murphysboro store on Sunday.

A Zeigler convenience store was robbed at gunpoint on Jan. 6. No suspects have been arrested in any of the robberies.

No one has been hurt in any of the incidents.

Store customers and those out at the gas pumps are asked to be vigilant, as well, in the overnight hours.