Hallmark robbed
By JARED PUTNAM

A lone armed robber apparently sought to take advantage of revenues generated by the holiday season, striking Pat’s Hallmark in Blairsville this past Saturday, December 16.

The call came into the E-911 center at 2:02 p.m and officers from the Blairsville Police Department responded within two minutes, sealing off the area.

Assistant Police Chief Michael Baxter said that he could not go into details about what evidence was recovered at the crime scene, but did say that there were fewer than 10 customers in the building at the time, and none of them were injured. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is now the lead agency on the case.

A source familiar with the case told the Union Sentinel that the suspect is believed to be a white male who was wearing a ski mask. The individual is said to have fired a warning shot toward the back of the building and took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register. It is believed that after leaving the building he travelled on foot by Autozone and past McDonalds.

Blairsville Police Cheif Johnny Carrol is asking for assistance from the public in the investigation. “If anyone was in the store [or area] around 2:00 p.m. Saturday and saw a male that might have been in there, please call us,” said Carroll.

He also extended advice to other local retailers. “Anyone that has a business that sees anything suspicious should give us a call,” said Carroll. “Don’t take any chances.”