Update
Three months after his murder, Baltimore County Police arrest the people they say shot and killed a Parkville liquor store owner. Not only are the suspects being questioned about the murder, but police say they've connected them to several other liquor store robberies in Baltimore County.
There is relief at Putty Hill Liquors, where 56-year-old Joon Kang was shot and killed in the middle of an armed robbery spree that spanned several weeks.
"There were nights I would lay awake and see what I could do to help the case along," said Chris Amos, manager of Putty Hill Liquors.
On the night of July 16th, Baltimore County Police say two men walked into the store, demanded money, and shot him. Two suspects ran from the Parkville location.
Police looked at surveillance video of the crime and recognized a few of the suspects in connection with other robberies in the area.
"They conspired together in all those robberies to share the profits and the planning of it, and that included the murder," said Bill Toohey, Baltimore County Police Spokesman.
Four men are arrested and charged with first degree murder and conspiracy.
Toohey says the names of two others, including the man who shot Kang, will be announced later tonight.
All six men are connected to 16 armed robberies in Baltimore City and County from July 4th until July 30th. Some were in the same day just hours apart.
At Parkville Convenience Store, the manager has put up bullet proof glass since police say the same group of suspects targeted his stores a few weeks before Kang was killed.
"They just pulled a gun on his head and told him to give him money," said Raj Pateo, Parkville Convenience Store manager.
The manager of Putty Hill Liquors says the suspects got away with no cash and if they had just asked for some money, Joon Kang may have given it to them.
"Customers could come in and say I needed gas money. He would lend you money for a week and let you pay it back," said Ray Keith, a customer.
All six men will likely face robbery charges, as well. So far, four of them are being held without bail.
They are: Gregory Jerome Horne, 23, of the 4900-block of Edgemere Avenue, 21215; Keith Joshua Johnson Jr., 24, of the 2800-block of Quantico Avenue, 21215; Abayomi Nikomo McKenzie, 25, of the unit-block of Breaker Court 21221; and Tavon Anton Shuler, 30, of the 800-block of Glenwood Avenue, 21212.
The following is a list of liquor stores targeted in the spree:
July 4 3:34 p.m. Maisa Mart, 3300-block of Eastern Avenue
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 4 4:28 p.m. Parkville Convenience, 7500-block of Harford Road
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 6 3:23 p.m. Lime Tree Liquors, 1700-block of E. Northern Parkway
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 7 6:44 p.m. Pleasant Stop Mart, 3200-block of Eastern Avenue
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 7 11:30 p.m. One Shop Stop, 4900-block of Frankford Avenue
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 8 7:19 p.m. Hamilton Park Liquors, 2300-block of E. Northern Parkway
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 9 9:30 p.m. Gussie's Liquor Store, 1700-block of Old Eastern Avenue
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
· July 14 2:00 p.m. Good Spirits, 1900-block of Old Eastern Avenue
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
· July 14 10:40 p.m. The Liquor Store, 6100-block of Belair Road
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 15 2:35 p.m. The Store, Wine & Spirits, 6500-block of Frederick Road
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
· July 16 9:05 p.m. Putty Hill Liquors, 7900-block of Belair Road
(Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
· July 22 11:06 p.m. Discount Liquors, 200-block of W. Saratoga Street
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 24 12:37 p.m. Lime Tree Liquors, 1700-block of E. Northern Parkway
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 27 8:22 p.m. McLellan's Wine & Liquor, 6300-block of Sherwood Road
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
· July 29 7:40 p.m. Charles Village Liquors, 2400-block of St. Paul Street
(Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
· July 30 11:30 a.m. Hamilton Quick Mart, 3400-block of Hamilton Avenue
(Attempted Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
