Salem Police Investigate Armed Robbery at Gamer's Oasis

Police believe the suspects ran into a nearby apartment complex.

Photo and video by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police responded to an armed robbery at Gamer's Oasis on Wallace Road in West Salem Saturday. The owners of the store say two men entered the premises just before 6:00 p.m. armed with kitchen knives.

Joe Hatch, a customer at Gamer's Oasis, says the two men, one black male and one Hispanic male, had blue bandannas pulled down over their faces. One of the men also had a black hood.

David Bartel, co-owner of the store, says he thought it was a joke at first, but soon realized it wasn't as the two kept approaching with knives. The robbers demanded that the men place the store's money in a bag.

Hatch says they got away with about $200, then fled the store and ran into nearby Spring Mountain Apartments.

Police arrived on scene, established a loose perimeter, and called for a Marion County Sheriff's Office canine unit which arrived on scene about half an hour after the robbery was reported.

Salem Police Lt. Dan Deitz says they are looking for the two armed robbers, one described as a black male, 18-20 years old, between 5'6" and 5'8" in height, and one described as a Hispanic male also 18-20 years old and between 5'6" and 5'8".

They were reported to be wearing black jeans, blue shirts. There was no associated getaway vehicle and nobody was hurt.

Please call Salem Police at 503 588-6123 if you have information about the suspects.

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who are entering the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people the dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “an old truck driver with a new found passion to bare witness on the world’s events.” Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarks on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Stay tuned, and see how it turns out. Jerry seems to exhibit natural talent and is already becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team. You can send Jerry Freeman an email at this address: Salem-News@gravityshadow.com