By Sonja Kosler
Staff Writer
Area law enforcement officers responded to a call about an armed robbery in Dent around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18.
Otter Tail County Sheriffs Department Deputies were joined by police officers from Perham, New York Mills, Pelican Rapids, and Frazee. A K-9 unit was brought in from Pelican Rapids. The units secured and searched the area but did not locate a suspect. He was described as approximately 5 10 in height, medium build and possibly in his early 20s.
According to the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Office An unknown male suspect wearing a black ski-mask, black 3/4 length coat and blue jeans entered the Dent Oasis Cenex gas station brandishing what appeared to be a handgun.
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The cashier merely opened the register and allowed the armed robber to take about $380. The cashier who was reported to have been recently hired was shaken but unharmed.
Dent Mayor, Perry Coleman says, You dont expect it to happen here. The main thing is nobody was hurt.
The robbery investigation is on-going.
This is probably Dents first armed robbery. Local legend tells of an attempted bank robbery in the old days foiled by cashier Jerome Hertel who was employed by Farmers State Bank from 1939 to 1975. It is said Hertel merely told the robber he couldnt get at the money and the robber left empty handed.
Also under investigation in Dent is a break-in at Dent Oil on the night of March 4. A window was broken to gain entry. Batteries, pop, beef sticks, and some cigarettes were taken from a carton while others were left behind.
The gas pumps were turned on and gas was stolen, but the computer was left untouched, expensive rims and tools were not taken. Owner Curt Shaw estimates the loss at about $800. Shaw says just the week before the burglary, someone took money from the cash register while he was busy elsewhere.
