Store manager shot during robbery

Police were searching late Thursday for a man who shot the manager of a Florence convenience store as he was leaving to make a deposit earlier in the day.

Ralph Cook, 37, manager of Kangaroo Express on Cox Creek Parkway, was shot multiple times after briefly struggling with the man near the entrance to the store, police said.

Cook was taken to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He was listed in good condition Thursday night, hospital officials said.

The robbery and shooting took place about 10 a.m. Kangaroo is at the intersection of Cox Creek Parkway and Lauderdale 47.

"We've been using all of our resources trying to develop leads that will help us determine the identity of the shooter," Florence police Lt. Randy England said.

Police said the person they believe shot Cook is a dark-complected black man. He is described as being between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet tall. He was wearing a red-hooded shirt, white tennis shoes and possibly a gray bandana, police said.

Investigators said the man confronted the manager as he was leaving the store to make the deposit. A struggle followed, and the robber apparently started shooting until Cook fell to the ground.

England said the man grabbed the money and ran toward the Creek-

wood subdivision. It was unclear Thursday how much money was taken.

"We have talked to witnesses who saw him get into a car that was parked there, with another man inside," England said. Police said the shooter got in a mid-70s, dark blue car - possibly a Buick or Oldsmobile - with a dull finish.

The car also had a Helping Schools license plate and witnesses were able to get a partial number that included CR11, police said.

"At first, we were told it was a handicapped tag, but we were able to determine through our computer software that it was a Helping Schools tag, not a handicapped tag," England said.

Witnesses said the driver of the vehicle was a heavyset black male, probably in his mid to late 30s.

"And they said he had a large round face," England said.

He said the vehicle left the Creek-

wood subdivision and turned north on Cox Creek Parkway, heading toward Chisholm Road.

While yellow crime tape kept customers from entering the store, police gathered possible evidence.

"We found some evidence in the parking lot, which will be examined and hopefully will be helpful to us," England said.

He said a weapon was not found.

Police said it appears the robber had knowledge that the manager would be leaving the store with the bank deposit at that time.

"It's evident that (the robber) had done his homework," England said. "He could have been watching and conducting surveillance on the store and noting how the bank deposits were made," he said.

England said in a review of the store's security video it appears the shooter may have been in the store making a purchase about 30 minutes before the shooting.

"And he could have been in a blue Ford Taurus at that time," England said.

Authorities said the robber is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 768-2728 or CrimeStoppers at 386-8685.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.