News

Actions

Family of battered Chesterfield store owner offer $5,000 reward

Posted at 12:27 AM, Mar 06, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-06 00:27:39-05

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR)--There are no surveillance cameras on the outside of a South Chesterfield convenience store, but police say the camera on the inside captured the attack on owner Earle Spencer, Jr.

Two months later they are piecing the investigation together.

"I'm feeling better," Spencer said Wednesday. And looking better, too.

Quite different from the picture CBS 6 took of Spencer a day after he was attacked outside his Centralia Road convenience store.

It was early, between 4:30 and 5:10 in the morning on New Year’s Day.  "I remember getting attacked,” said Spencer.  “I can't remember what the guy looked like."

Police have been working the case ever since and have recently gotten their hands on information that's opened a few doors.  They say they're confident Spencer's attacker ran west on Telstar Road.

"It's a straight shot and there's woods everywhere down there," said neighbor J.J. Sprouse.

Police also say you could help them crack the case. They're urging anyone who wrote a personal check inside Spencer’s store on December 31st to call them, saying that information will help them in their investigation.

"They were hiding out for him, knew his schedule and ambushed him is the only thing I can think of," said David Fricke, another neighbor.

Spencer agrees.  "I did the same thing for 30 years. I guess somebody was watching me," he said. "A girl at MCV says I'm lucky to be alive."

Over $6,000 was swiped that morning.

People living in this community want whoever attacked the 73-year-old businessman off the streets and say they take the violence seriously.

"It's why I have a concealed weapons permit and carry openly.  Let everybody know I'll protect my life if I need to," said Fricke.

The Spencer family is offering a $5,000 reward in this case.  If you have information, especially about those personal checks, call Crime Solvers at 748-0660.