Oak Creek robbery, alcohol theft: 2 sought in 'brazen event'

OAK CREEK, Wis. - Oak Creek police need your help to identify two men who stole bottles of alcohol from the Shell gas station near 13th and Rawson on Friday, June 16. 

According to police, the area is no stranger to robberies or burglaries.

"We have a fair portion of robberies and burglaries that occur," said Oak Creek Police Captain David Ashenhurst. "Likely, the ease of access to I-94."

The violent act toward a store clerk during this crime led them to call for help from the public to identify these men.

"10:45 a.m. Broad daylight," said Captain Ashenhurst. "More comfortable time for the clerk who wouldn’t suspect a crime to occur."

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Oak Creek police said the two men wearing surgical masks had no intention of paying.

"Enter the store and quickly got to a restricted area behind the clerk that has all the alcohol," said Captain Ashenhurst. "As they approach, they do it very quickly."

They would get away with more than $200 worth of alcohol, but police said they're far more concerned about what happened out of frame. The 52-year-old female clerk was attacked.

"One of the males pushed her," said Captain Ashenhurst. "Significantly and violently pushed her. Again, a brazen, dangerous event."

He said it's rare for these crimes to escalate to this level of violence.

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"It’s not all that common when we have a clerk attacked," said Captain Ashenhurst. "We’re very concerned about a repeat offense on this, and the same actors and same suspects will do this at another store."

Police said they left in a silver or gray four-door vehicle. Investigators are working to determine whether it was stolen.

Anyone with information that could help Oak Creek police is urged to call 414-766-7627.