MI MI - Jessica Heeringa, 25, Norton Shores, 26 April 2013 #5

[Eileen730]

If she was just going through closing down procedures, she was doing it an hour early. A lot of cash can be exchanged in that time. It just seems inappropriate to me, but maybe not to others....

Well Im not so sure all gas stations are busy at 11 pm at night.
Cant you shut down some pumps and leave others open JMO

 

[missgulfsouth]

Many businesses are failing still during this recession. He had to cut corners to survive.:seeya::seeya:

Then he could and should have been at work, too, if he could only afford one employee and refused to install cameras (which ought to have been done LONG before any recession).

 

[Eileen730]

Witness #2 (IDK of she was the co-worker/husband duo)~ I believe she was referred to.. was the one that helped make the composite sketch. Confirmed that was the man in the vehicle that she'd seen. IIRC correct me anyone if I'm wrong.

Yes I believe she is the co worker that was in the guitar parking lot that gave the perp description and the van......
Hink I say! JMO


I think they need to go back to her!

 

[Treelights]

I'm a stickler, I am. It's been reported the last transaction was 10:50 p.m., 10:51 p.m. and 10:55 p.m.

Five minutes makes a difference in a tight timeline such as this. I read 10:50 p.m. first.

Jessica said she'd be home sooner rather than later via phone call to fiance between 10:00-10:15
(LE will know for sure because I'm sure they've reviewed the phone records from the gas station).

Christian VanA purchased gas shortly after 9:00 p.m. (witnessed man in silver van) Jessica was changing receipt tapes outside.

Jessica spoke to fiance between 10:00-10:15 p.m. (Do they have a wedding date set?)

Jesse A. stopped by between 10:15 and 10:30.

Last transaction 10:50 (see above).

what time did "she" witness say she spotted van driving through the alleyway?

What time/s was the silver van captured on two separate cameras, 11:04? and ????.

Craig H. says he arrived at gas station 11:07 p.m., called 911 at 11:15.
(would he know it was precisely 11:07? - he may after he thought about it if it takes 7 mins to drive to the gs from his workplace.)

Can you drive from the Exxon to the first van sighting within 12 minutes? Or how long minimum and maximum? Factor into this the time it would take to complete the abduction. The abduction couldn't have happened earlier than 10:50 (add a minute for that guy to leave the scene) and had to be before 11:00 if the van was captured at 11:04. Locals, is this possible?

Also if the gas station didn't officially close until 11:30, does it seem like Jessica began closing even earlier than necessary to leave right on time? I mean, did she have authority to lock up earlier than 11:30 on the dot?

It seems as if she was gearing to close at 11:00. Trash bag ready to be carried out, cash drawer already on the counter, her purse and coat right there for her to walk out with. Pumps already locked (when 11:07 guy got there). To me, it seems someone grabbed her immediately before closing. They thought there wouldn't be anymore regular customers at that late hour.

Great Post!

 

[Eileen730]

Then he could and should have been at work, too, if he could only afford one employee and refused to install cameras (which ought to have been done LONG before any recession).

Should A
Would A
Could A

Hindsight is 50/50

I think a man should have been on duty at night with Jessica but maybe her boss was giving her extra hrs for extra money. How many business are out there with women working late hrs with no cameras. the guy is in a no win situation as I see it. Should working conditions have been different of course but id bet there are many more gas stations out there with NON working cameras. And many bosses giving its single moms extra hrs to get by. I cant condem this guy. JMO

 

[gam]

But how many people actually count the drawer a half an hour before closing? I have been in retail for 3 decades, and not once did I or my coworkers count out the money about a half hour before closing. If there was counting the money out before closing, it was done right before closing.

It would depend on the business, major chains, or big business, unlikely you could even do it. But smaller businesses you could do this. You always take a chance in retail, that all your pre-work to get out on time would not work, because you could have a rush of customers at any time. I've had that happen many times.

I am just basing this on the fact that this business is not in a very busy area, most of the other businesses are already closed, the gas station itself closes on a Fri night at 11:30 pm. Fri night that is early for a gas station, busy areas gas stations are open in Mi 24/7. This business had 1 worker, if it was busy, it would have had 2 workers. Many of the gas stations around me only have one worker at this time, the ones open 24/7 all only have 1 worker usually for the second half of second shift and 1 worker for 3rd shift.

Cleaning products were also out, why were they out 45 minutes before closing? The cash drawer was also out. It just leads me to believe, business was slow, she started cleaning and preparing early so she could get out as close to closing as possible.

It's not an uncommon practice, if you keep track on paper, it works. Once the business is closed, you have to ring out your register, and your cash has to match that register tape. Sometimes you end up counting everything all over again anyhow because it does not match up.

 

[missgulfsouth]

woe.be.gone - I love attention to detail. Thank you for that.

She shut the pumps off at 11:00 when closing was midnight? Again, just senseless. But that is just based on my experience working in a gas station 20 years ago. Maybe times really have changed and employees can do whatever....

Does anyone think that the suspect may have come in to use the restroom, and waited for the store to clear out? Are restrooms located inside or outside? Then again, why would she ever count money when a customer was in the store, or could enter the store?

None of the closing procedures in this case make a lick of sense to me.

 

[trenchmouth]

Seeing the detailed timeline again got me thinking. Everyone has to eat correct? If perp was from out of town or getting off work earlier he may have visited a fast food restaurant in the area prior to talking to JH at the station around 9:00? I could see him going through at drive thru between 6 - 9 pm that Friday night. LE should ask all fast food restaurants to provide surveillance footage during this time, that is if they have cameras. He was reported to be medium to heavy build. I could see this guy putting down a few bacon cheeseburgers that evening. I would even check fast food restaurants within 15 miles along the highway north and south of the station.

 

[Treelights]

woe.be.gone - I love attention to detail. Thank you for that.

She shut the pumps off at 11:00 when closing was midnight? Again, just senseless. But that is just based on my experience working in a gas station 20 years ago. Maybe times really have changed and employees can do whatever....

Does anyone think that the suspect may have come in to use the restroom, and waited for the store to clear out? Are restrooms located inside or outside? Then again, why would she ever count money with the doors unlocked when a customer was in the store, or could enter?

None of the closing procedures in this case make a lick of sense to me.

I thought the closing for the gas station was officially 11:30pm on Friday?

 

[missgulfsouth]

It would depend on the business, major chains, or big business, unlikely you could even do it. But smaller businesses you could do this. You always take a chance in retail, that all your pre-work to get out on time would not work, because you could have a rush of customers at any time. I've had that happen many times.

I am just basing this on the fact that this business is not in a very busy area, most of the other businesses are already closed, the gas station itself closes on a Fri night at 11:30 pm. Fri night that is early for a gas station, busy areas gas stations are open in Mi 24/7. This business had 1 worker, if it was busy, it would have had 2 workers. Many of the gas stations around me only have one worker at this time, the ones open 24/7 all only have 1 worker usually for the second half of second shift and 1 worker for 3rd shift.

Cleaning products were also out, why were they out 45 minutes before closing? The cash drawer was also out. It just leads me to believe, business was slow, she started cleaning and preparing early so she could get out as close to closing as possible.

It's not an uncommon practice, if you keep track on paper, it works. Once the business is closed, you have to ring out your register, and your cash has to match that register tape. Sometimes you end up counting everything all over again anyhow because it does not match up.

I appreciate your insight of the local area. I completely disagree with having one employee for night shifts. I don't care if it saves money, it costs lives. And why is it always women working those night shifts, anyway? Man, I wish people would see the bigger picture instead of just the bottom line.

 

[imamaze]

The station actually closed at 11:30, not midnight.

 

[missgulfsouth]

I thought the closing for the gas station was officially 11:30pm on Friday?

You may be right. I thought I had read that they were open til midnight. If it was 11:30 then I feel a bit better about the cleaning products and cash out. But not about the pumps being off a 1/2 hr early....

 

[missgulfsouth]

The station actually closed at 11:30, not midnight.

Thank you for clarifying, imamize

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Before reading about it on this thread, neither my husband or I ever knew that Michigan has a wild turkey hunting season. This could explain two incidents where wild turkeys made it to north-suburban Detroit and into my backyard

Several years ago, our former next door neighbors were hosting a birthday party for their young daughters whose birthdays were both in early June. While everyone was outdoors enjoying a beautiful day, a wild turkey walked into their yard and proceeded into ours. We had a dog at the time who went ballistic at the sight of this unusual creature. Everybody took pictures of the large bird who slowly went back into the wooded area behind our homes. No one had ever seen a wild turkey in these parts, and it was definitely strange.

About two weeks ago, when I walked into the kitchen for my morning coffee, I saw something on the deck and thought at first that it was a black trash bag that had blown onto the deck. When I walked closer to the French doors that open onto the deck, I saw a wild turkey standing on my deck. WTF! My cell phone doesn't take photos, and I wouldn't mess with DH's camera that is in a kitchen drawer, but I wished that I could have had a picture of the wild bird standing on the deck. I wondered if I should invite him in for a cup of coffee He stood there for a few minutes and then walked down the two steps into the yard and went next door. It was bizarre.

 

[MsFacetious]

If he didn't have cameras I HIGHLY doubt he had an alarm system. :twocents:
It's really easy to put the two in at the same time for a pretty good deal. :twocents:

Many businesses are failing still during this recession. He had to cut corners to survive.:seeya::seeya:

Including my Dad's. Believe me, we 100% understand that. We are cutting corners ourselves.
Several years ago he was making 6 figures. Now he is barely making ends meet.

But there are corners you cut and corners you DON'T.
You do not cut corners that compromise safety. :twocents:

My Dad will not allow an unarmed employee to work alone at night.
It isn't even just FEMALES. This is the reason why.
Most of the time my DAD works at night if it's needed.

He couldn't live with himself if something happened. I can't even tell him about Jessica's case.
It bothers him too much and he just cannot comprehend how anyone would take those risks.

Ok, I get the owner now. He has tunnel vision. Never in his life did he imagine that this would ever happen to one of his employees, at his business. Muskegon is not crime ridden (by some standards), it's a relatively sleepy town. Abductions happen elsewhere. Robberies, too. So the owner was dozed into complacency. Routine. Any talk of installing security cameras was scoffed at because it would cost him money and no one was really in any danger. Not in Muskegon. I feel sorry for him. But not as sorry as I feel for Jessica and her family. No security cameras? They paid the price for that.

I MIGHT accept that argument if this gas station wasn't so d@mn isolated. :twocents:
This was just so far out there it might as well have had a target on it.
No cameras was just so inexcusable.

 

[michmi]

It would depend on the business, major chains, or big business, unlikely you could even do it. But smaller businesses you could do this. You always take a chance in retail, that all your pre-work to get out on time would not work, because you could have a rush of customers at any time. I've had that happen many times.
It's not an uncommon practice, if you keep track on paper, it works. Once the business is closed, you have to ring out your register, and your cash has to match that register tape. Sometimes you end up counting everything all over again anyhow because it does not match up.

I used to work for Speedway and I agree. Getting out "early" would mean me doing all my closing work prior to closing so I could just officially ring out the register and lock everything up, then be gone. Even routinely I would keep a count of my cigs and other items and then keep track of what I sold on paper between the time I did the count and the time I closed.

 

[cebee]

While we like to assume that having cameras may have prevented the abduction, I dont know if that is the case. Think of all the bank robberies where the robber is clearly shown on camera. Does not seem to deter them. Same with other convenience store robberies. THe perp may have just concealed his face. I think the safest thing would be to have doors locked and people served thru a window after dark. ( store I worked at back in the 70's did exactly that..) But even one single clerk walking out at closing is not safe! I sure would not want to do it. And the Exxon is oddly isolated, even tho it is right off the highway. Surrounded by shops that are closed by dark. Went there once after a late flight in, and was so creeped out I only put in enough gas to get me home and got out of there! I cant imagine employees feeling safe there...

 

[lillygator]

Everyone is really harping on the owner.....even if he had cameras she would still have gone missing. What if it was low quality and you couldn't see anything, then you (general you) would be hounding him that he didn't have a good enough system. He can't win.

I agree he may be cheap and complacent, no one has gone missing from there before correct?

Also, as far as have men only on the night shift, etc....some women choose these shifts as it allows them to stay home with kids during the day or they are working a second job, etc.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Witness #2 (IDK of she was the co-worker/husband duo)~ I believe she was referred to.. was the one that helped make the composite sketch. Confirmed that was the man in the vehicle that she'd seen. IIRC correct me anyone if I'm wrong.

<Mod Snip>
Chief Shaw has not mentioned a coworker. He mentions a witness who is a "she" - not a husband duo witness.
He has only mentioned the "she". And "she" was the one who saw the abductor's face as he drove the van past her. CS doesn't spell out the witness's exact position. She is the one who assisted in creating the sketch.

Not once has it been mentioned that the gas station closes at midnight.
The confusion about closing time has always been between 11:00 and 11:30 p.m.
I've searched high and low for official closing times but can't find a solid source. I swear the first news report I saw said the station closed at 11:00 p.m. I've read all the explanations for the later hours during the week. But I can't find an official souce listing the regular hours for this gas station. It appears to me that Jessica was preparing to close at 11:00 p.m.

<Mod Snip>

 

[Flutterby80]

Before reading about it on this thread, neither my husband or I ever knew that Michigan has a wild turkey hunting season. This could explain two incidents where wild turkeys made it to north-suburban Detroit and into my backyard

Several years ago, our former next door neighbors were hosting a birthday party for their young daughters whose birthdays were both in early June. While everyone was outdoors enjoying a beautiful day, a wild turkey walked into their yard and proceeded into ours. We had a dog at the time who went ballistic at the sight of this unusual creature. Everybody took pictures of the large bird who slowly went back into the wooded area behind our homes. No one had ever seen a wild turkey in these parts, and it was definitely strange.

About two weeks ago, when I walked into the kitchen for my morning coffee, I saw something on the deck and thought at first that it was a black trash bag that had blown onto the deck. When I walked closer to the French doors that open onto the deck, I saw a wild turkey standing on my deck. WTF! My cell phone doesn't take photos, and I wouldn't mess with DH's camera that is in a kitchen drawer, but I wished that I could have had a picture of the wild bird standing on the deck. I wondered if I should invite him in for a cup of coffee He stood there for a few minutes and then walked down the two steps into the yard and went next door. It was bizarre.

Around here they wander right through downtown, across the highway, into yards. There is no shortage of them. I can't hang bird feeders because the jump up into the trees, knock them down to break them open and then feast. And they travel in packs.