DES MOINES – This Iowa couple thought they could embark on what law enforcement now calls a “robbery spree” Saturday when they armed themselves and robbed three Walgreens stores in Des Moines, but swift police work frosted their cake with a thick coating of justice.
Des Moines police report that thanks to “swift street police work, a trail of evidence, and solid detective work” two suspects are festering behind bars Sunday in connection with a robbery spree the previous day.
“Within a 45 minute span, three armed robberies were reported and 2nd Watch patrol officers had located two suspects,” police explained.
The nefarious, boggled-headed idea began at noon on Saturday, January 18, 2025, when a suspect displayed a handgun and attempted to rob the first of three Walgreens stores in Iowa’s Capital City. This robbery was thwarted, police claim, when a customer in the store drew the handgun he was carrying and intervened, leading the suspect to flee.
Approximately 30 minutes later and four miles away, police continued, a second Walgreens reported being robbed. A quick-thinking clerk activated the alarm and the suspect fled with merchandise.
The final robbery of another Walgreens, was reported approximately five minutes later and a mile away. The suspect fled with merchandise and cash. Cops say the cash had a GPS tracker device hidden in it – uh oh.
Des Moines police dispatchers provided officers with updates of the tracker’s movements. Along the route, officers found clothing that the suspect is believed to have discarded. The trail eventually led officers to find a suspect vehicle, evidence, and two suspects.
Detectives picked up the investigation, conducted two search warrants, and recovered evidence including a handgun. A full day of investigation ended with two arrests.
36-year-old Clayton Sanders was booked into the Polk county jail at 9:01 PM on the following charges:
– FELONY B 711.2 ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE
– FELONY B 711.2 ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE
– FELONY B 711.2 ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE
– FELONY C 706.3(1) CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FORCIBLE FELONY
– 724.8B PERSONS INELIGIBLE TO CARRY DANGEROUS WEAPONS
23-year-old Neveah Burks was booked into the Polk county jail at 8:43 PM on the following charges:
– FELONY B 711.2 ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE
– FELONY B 711.2 ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE
– FELONY B 711.2 ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE
– FELONY C 706.3(1) CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FORCIBLE FELONY
– 724.8B PERSONS INELIGIBLE TO CARRY DANGEROUS WEAPONS
Both suspects remain behind bars, awaiting future court appearances.