Officers looking to ID person of interest

Florence police continue to receive tips and other information in their search for the man who shot a convenience store manager as he was leaving to make a deposit Thursday morning.

Police say there is one person in particular who they want to question in connection with their investigation. The person made a purchase inside the store about 30 minutes prior to robbery and shooting.

Ralph Crook, 37, manager of Kangaroo Express on Cox Creek Parkway remained hospitalized in Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital Friday. He's listed in good condition following surgery.

Crook was shot several times as he left the convenience store at about 10 a.m. Thursday.

The man who shot Crook also stole the money intended for the deposit, police said.

Police said the person who did the shooting 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, officials said.

Police say a person matching that description was seen earlier inside the store.

"At this point, we're considering him a person of interest," said detective Cliff Billingsley. "He may have been involved and it's also possible that he had nothing at all to do with the incident, but he does fit the description of the shooter. We'd like to talk with him."

Police released a photo of the man that was taken from the store's surveillance camera. Billingsley said the photo has been enhanced by officials at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to make the image clearer.

In the meantime, investigators keep searching for more clues.

"We've received a lot of calls and some leads, and we're following up on everything," said Florence police detective Lt. Randy England. "Nothing has materialized to give us any concrete information that leads us to the person responsible."

England said Florence police are also working with other law enforcement agencies in trying to develop leads.

"We believe someone saw something that will help us, and we're thankful for the information we're getting," England said. "We've just got to keep running down the leads and hopefully one will turn out."

England said the man confronted the manager near the front door of the business. After a struggle took place, the robber shot Crook several times, then grabbed the money and ran off.

Authorities said the robber ran toward Creekwood subdivision where witnesses say he got into a car with another man.

Police say the shooter got in a mid-1970s model, dark blue car - possibly a Buick or Oldsmobile product. Police said car has a Helping Schools license plate and the tag includes the lettering CR11, although that is not the full tag number.

Billingsley said the tag number has been of no help yet.

"We've tried all kinds of various numbers trying to find any car that matched the description, but we haven't had any luck so far," he said.

Witnesses said the driver of the vehicle was a black male in the mid- to late-30s and weighing more than 200 pounds. He was described as having a large, round face.

Authorities said anyone seeing the vehicle or knowing anything about the robbery is asked to contact police at 768-2728 or Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at 386-8685.

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