Green Bay Police identified a serial armed robber today as 52-year-old Kevin Gillispie of Milwaukee. Gillispie was arrested yesterday in connection with five armed robberies in just two months. NBC26 explains how police finally caught up with him.
The first robbery was in late January on the east side of Green Bay and in the weeks that followed there would be four more, and with each robbery a lot of surveillance footage that helped police alert the public who they were looking for.
Kevin Gillispie is the man Green Bay Police believe is responsible for 5 robberies in town. They also believe he just arrived to Green Bay within the last couple of months.
"He has an extensive criminal history. He's out on bail right now in Milwaukee County for attempting to rob a financial institution," says Lt. Dave Wesely of the Green Bay Police Department.
Police say a Hyundai Elantra was used in four of the five robberies locally. The photo of the vehicle was plastered all over the news last week. But police say he used a different car for his most recent robbery on Saturday.
"A lot of pieces of the puzzle came together very quickly at the end," says Officer Sean Hamill of the Green Bay Police department.
Early in the week they got a tip on a van and Hyundai’s location that authorities were looking to find.
"When we went to look for the van that was described, the plate came back to a Hyundai Elantra and it kind of all tied together," adds Officer Hamill.
They arrested Gillispie on the spot at a home along the 1400 block of North Baird Street.
"Thank goodness we have some good copers and we have some good citizens here that helped put a stop to this," adds Lt. Wesely.
And while there was some recent body work done to the Elantra to make it appear different than it did in the photos that were circulating from the first four robberies, today police believe they got their man despite all of the attempts to dodge them.
Green Bay Police are working with investigators in the Fox Valley to determine if their suspect was involved in a string of armed robberies in their community over the last couple of months.
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Updated Wednesday March, 16, 2016:
Officers of the Green Bay Police Department received a tip on a potential suspect in the rash of robberies that have occurred in the Green Bay Area. Officer Sean Hamill and Lt. Tom Buchman investigated the lead which led them to a residence in the 1400 block of North Baird Street.
In the investigation, officers and investigators later stopped a silver mini-van and took 52-year-old Kevin E Gillispie into custody. Gillispie is originally from the Milwaukee area but recently came to Green Bay. Investigators are now reviewing all the recent robberies to determine Gillispie’s involvement. Robbery charges are being referred on Gillispie to the district attorney office.
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Updated Tuesday March 15, 2016:
Green Bay Police say they arrested a man Tuesday that they believe is connected to a string of robberies.
The story will be updated when more information is available.
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Updated Story...
Green Bay Police are asking for your help to solve a number of robberies. Since January four east side businesses have been robbed at gun point. The most recent robbery occurred at the BP gas station happening just yesterday. Today police announced they believe one man is likely responsible for all of the crimes.
While police haven't found their suspect just yet, today pictures and information is being released to the public which hopefully will bring authorities closer to their suspect than they have been thus far.
When shops in east Green Bay, like Allouez Liquor and Beer, hear about four armed robberies in just 2 months they tend to take notice.
"You start to be defensive. You start to pay attention to your surroundings, to people coming in, people hanging around outside," says Ed Gerczak the co-owner of Allouez Beer and Liquor.
But it's so much easier to take precautions to a potential crime, when you know what you're looking for.
"We believe somebody in your viewing area will recognize this person and their gonna recognize that car," adds Lt. Dave Wesely of the Green Bay Police.
The Green Bay Police released several images from Wednesday night’s robbery. They are now looking for a black male in his 40’s or 50’s who stands about six feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds.
"Described as having some sort of facial hair… possibly a goatee with very distinctive grey outlines down the side of his goatee," adds Lt. Wesely.
The black male was believed to be driving a 1999 or 2000 Hyundai Elantra with some distinctive markings.
"This vehicle might have damage to the front and rear passenger side," says Lt. Wesely.
The car also has black outside rear view mirrors, 8-spoke hubcaps, and some damage to the passenger side front head light. Authorities hope people will check out the pictures released on Thursday to get a better idea of what they are looking for.
And while more small businesses will be on the lookout, thanks to the images captured, they'll also be a bit more cautious until he is caught.
“It changes your life when a gun is put in front of you," adds Gerczak at his liquor store. Who admits he knows of people who get out of the retail or cash register positions after being put into a life changing situation like being robbed.
Because with no one in custody yet, small business owners and employees know, it's just a matter of time until another shop gets hit again.
Some of the money stolen Wednesday night was said by police to be coated with dye. It's believed that the suspect’s hands possibly face or even clothes are blue or purple in color on the account of it. Which is just one more physical description to keep an eye out for in light of the investigations most recent findings.
If you have a lead for Police, call the Green Bay Police Department or leave a tip anonymously at 920-432-7867
Original Story....
Green Bay Police are asking for your help to solve a number of robberies that have happened in the last two months.
The suspect in the robberies is described as a black man between 40-50 years old, who is about 5'10"- to 6'0" tall and 180-200 pounds. He may also have some sort of facial hair that has distinctive graying on the sides. Police say the description varies from different witness accounts.
It is believed a 1999 or 2000 Hyundai Elantra 4 door vehicle with damage to the front and rear passenger sides is used in the robberies. The suspect cat also has black outside mirrors and 8 spoke hubcaps.
Police say there have been four robberies the suspect is believed to be responsible for. They include:
- January 27, 2016 8:21 pm Subway Restaurant 1120 Radisson
- February 9, 2016 1:28 pm Family Dollar 708 Lime Kiln
- February 21, 2016 7:29 pm CVS Pharmacy 930 Main St
- March 2, 2016 3:31 pm BP gas station 2056 Main Street
Some of the money in the March 2nd robbery was coated with a dye, police say. It is believed that the suspect would have dye on his hands, face or clothes. The dye usually leaves blue or purple coloring on the skin that lasts for a few days.
No one has been hurt during the robberies, however a handgun was used and store employees were threatened.
Those with any information about this incident are asked to contact the Green Bay Police Department at 920- 448-3208.
