3 gunmen rob 7-Eleven in Dover

(AP) – Dover Police are looking for three men who robbed a convenience store at gunpoint.

It happened about 1:30 a.m. Monday at a 7-Eleven on North DuPont Highway, the department said in a news release. Officers say three men, all armed with handguns, demanded money from employees.
    
Authorities say the employees gave the man cash from the register. The robbers then fled on foot.

The investigation into this incident is on-going. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact he Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

In response to the recent string of armed robberies, Dover Police are encouraging businesses to review the following safety tips to help reduce the chances of becoming a robbery victim:

Cash Control
Strong cash-handling policies along with good signage can greatly reduce rates of robbery. One study found that robbery rates drop by 80% when potential robbers know that there’s $50 or less in the cash register.

Silent Panic/Holdup Alarms and Surveillance Cameras
These types of alarms protect your employees in potentially violent robbery situations. They are not useful in preventing robberies but can help to reduce the impact of a robbery in process. Provide proper training on the usage of silent alarms so that employees know how to safely use them.  Ensure that alarms and surveillance cameras are in good working order.

Remove Signage From Windows
Visibility in and out of a convenience store plays an enormous role on the psychological comfort of the would-be robber. If robbers know they can be seen from the outside then the likelihood of a robbery falls. Keep your windows free and clear of any and all signage.

Have Two Employees on Duty During High-Risk Times
Having more than one employee on duty can reduce the risk of robbery during the most high-risk robbery times. It’s vital that both are well trained on violence reduction though, as sometimes two employees are more likely to fight back against robbers.

Provide Adequate Lighting
Adequate lighting is shown to reduce incidents of robbery. Be sure that faces in your parking lot are easily visible from the street. Further, be sure that you’re not creating a glare that could reduce visibility. Strong, white lighting outside of your convenience store can also make your customers feel safer.