The owner of the Old Riverton Store along Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas, was bound and robbed at gunpoint Monday morning. The suspect was apprehended about six hours later and is jailed on $200,000 bond.
According to a news release from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the store, formerly known as Eisler Bros. Store, was robbed shortly before 10 a.m. Monday.
During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as 56-year-old Sheldon Jack Herrelson, of rural Joplin. Herrelson was located at a residence just on the Missouri side of the state line and was taken into custody by Missouri authorities after Cherokee County Sheriff’s Investigators secured a warrant for his arrest.
“I’m incredibly thankful first and foremost, no one, neither at the store nor law enforcement, were harmed today as a result of this incident,” stated Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.
“Secondly, the level of cooperation and assistance throughout this investigation, from multiple jurisdictions including the Galena Police Department, Jasper County Missouri Sheriff’s Office and the Pittsburg Police Department, was incredible. That teamwork directly led to the suspect’s quick identification and capture less than 6 hours from the time crime was committed,” concluded Sheriff Groves.
For those unfamiliar with the area, Riverton sits just a few miles from the Missouri border.
Here’s an image from a surveillance camera of the gunman at the store:
KOAM-TV had more details about the heist:
“The suspect came in armed with a shotgun and left with an undisclosed amount of money,” said Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.
Scott Nelson is the owner of the Old Riverton Store and was the only one present when an armed robber demanded cash.
“I’ll be all right. It’s been 39 years since this happened,” said Nelson.
The same couldn’t be said for other employees, but Nelson seemed to be back to his typical laid back self shortly after talking to investigators about the incident. But that might be because he’s experienced this before.
“1981 was the last time. I remember that year. I happened to be the one here when it happened that time. It’s never a good feeling, but you just cooperate and let the sheriff’s department do their work,” said Nelson.
Herrelson awaits extradition from the Jasper County Jail in Missouri on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal threat, theft, criminal restraint and endangerment.
The Facebook page for Old Riverton Store put out separate messages of “Everyone is OK Thanks for your concern” and “Thanks for all the Prayers and Concern regarding this morning’s situation. Appreciated the fast response from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department!”
Leo Williams opened the store March 20, 1925, meaning it predates Route 66 by about 18 months. Joe and Isabell Eisler of Texas bought the store in 1973 and renamed it Eisler Bros.
Scott Nelson, who’d been an employee there when he was a teenager, bought the store in 2011.
(Hat tip to Lynn Bagdon; surveillance image from the robbery and of suspect Sheldon Jack Herrelson via Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; image of Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kansas)
That’s some weapon to need to carry for self protection!