By John Howell Sr.

Sardis police have identified four suspects they believe responsible for an armed robbery at a house in the intersections of Magnolia and Juanita Streets late Thursday, December 16.

Police Chief Marcel Jojola said that several workmen were in the house about 6 p.m. when they heard knocking at both the front and back doors. When the contractor opened the back door, he found himself facing a masked man holding a sawed-off shotgun. The masked man was one of four in the group, the police chief said.

When the victim threw money onto the ground and fled, the suspects fled also. However, the contractor recognized the voices of two of the men as former employees and police quickly narrowed their investigation to people from ages 16 to 18. Officers are also concentrating on finding the weapon used in the robbery.

“You don’t saw down a shotgun for deer hunting,” Jojola said. “You do that to intimidate people.” Police have searched one home in an attempt to locate the shotgun but without success. He said that officers learned that the shotgun’s barrel was cut down about a month ago.

Jojola said officers are “working around the clock” to complete the investigation and bring charges. Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Sardis Police Department at 487-1383.