HARRISVILLE RITE-AID CLERKS TAKE QUICK ACTION - Two Armed Hold-ups Within Weeks

(12/28/2004)
By Bob Weaver

The clerks at Harrisville's Rite Aid are getting used to hold-ups.

Sunday, a 32-year-old woman from Louisiana held-up the store to be captured by the Harrisville Police a short time later.

A few weeks ago a man held-up the store with a shotgun, demanding drugs. Swift action by employees and the local police department quickly nabbed him.

"The clerks did a wonderful job Sunday, even getting her license plate number," said Chief of Police Mike Burwell.

Molly Kurtz (pictured left), who authorities said was addicted to painkillers, was visiting relatives in Harrisville.

She is lodged in North Central Regional Jail, charged with armed robbery.

Chief Burwell said he arrived quickly and was in front of the store talking with a clerk, when the clerk said "There goes the woman right now."

Police stopped her shortly, with no resistance.

A Ritchie County deputy sheriff and the State Police arrived shortly after a 911 call.

Kurtz had been visiting relatives in Harrisville with her husband and children. She left the household in an apparent attempt to obtain painkillers.

The woman was wanted on a fugitive warrant in Louisiana for failure to appear, said Chief Kurtz.

She is charged with a federal offense, which does not allow bond.