MAN uses ax to rob stores in Oklahoma City, Weatherford

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A man who used an ax to rob stores in Oklahoma City and Weatherford remained at large Thursday, police said. <br><br>The man walked into a Home Depot in south Oklahoma City shortly

Thursday, July 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A man who used an ax to rob stores in Oklahoma City and Weatherford remained at large Thursday, police said.

The man walked into a Home Depot in south Oklahoma City shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday and used an ax from the store to threaten employees, police said.

``We don't think he came in with the ax,'' police Sgt. Kevin Southerland said. ``We think he took it off the shelf.''

The man made off with an undisclosed amount of money. Minutes later, he robbed a convenience station a few blocks away, police said.

A few hours later, the man was in Weatherford. Police said he entered a Wal-Mart carrying the ax. A store employee put a sticker on the ax indicating the man brought it with him into the store.

``He walked around and threatened a cashier with the ax and demanded money,'' said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Bruce Peoples.

The man was spotted near Butler by an Oklahoma Lake Patrol officer. The officer followed the suspect but lost contact with him. Police later found the man's vehicle flipped over and abandoned.

Police believe he stole a 1970s-model orange pickup from a residence in the area.

On Thursday, police were investigating the possibility that the man robbed a Love's convenience store in eastern Oklahoma City late Wednesday, police Sgt. Cris Cunningham said.