Palm Print Leads to Arrest in Robbery at Cedar Rapids Liquor Store

By Jeff Raasch, Reporter

Police investigate an armed robbery at Discount Liquor, 2933 First Ave. SE, this afternoon, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012. Two suspects got away with cash, cigarettes and tobacco. No one was injured. (Jeff Raasch/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Kara Kelly

Story Created: Aug 29, 2012 at 11:17 AM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 29, 2012 at 6:45 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- A palm print and a stolen vehicle helped lead police to an arrest in an armed robbery at a Cedar Rapids liquor store.

Alexander B. White, 23, of 1432 Seventh Ave. SE, is charged with second-degree robbery in connection with a hold-up on Aug. 16 at Discount Liquor, 2933 First Ave. NE. The owner's nephew told The Gazette two men participated in the robbery and got away with more than $300 in cash, cigarettes and chewing tobacco. No one was injured.

According to a criminal complaint, investigators found White's palm print on the glass counter inside the store, which was left when he allegedly jumped over the counter to take money out of the cash register. He was positively identified as the suspect who displayed what appeared to be a handgun, the complaint said.

White and his fiancee, Shannon Gaskins, were shot April 20 in an apparent robbery attempt at Kirkwood Court apartments. About 40 minutes after the Discount Liquor robbery was reported, Gaskins reported to police that her gray Ford Explorer had been stolen. Police confirmed that Gaskins' SUV was used as the get-away vehicle for the suspects who robbed Discount Liquor.

Police recovered Gaskins' SUV and found a plastic replica of a handgun inside, according to court documents.

The second suspect in the robbery has not been arrested, police said.

White remained at the Linn County Jail on Wednesday, in lieu of $10,000 bond.