MAN ROBS CONVENIENCE STORE NEAR DELAND

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery of a convenience store near DeLand Saturday night. A store employee was counting money before securing it in a safe when a man with a handgun entered and demanded the cash. There were no shots fired or any injuries. Several deputies, a K-9 unit and a Sheriff’s Office helicopter responded to the scene, but the suspect was not found.

The robbery happened at approximately 9 p.m. at the Hess Mart, 100 S. Spring Garden Ave. The only person in the store at the time of the robbery was a 25-year-old store clerk. He was counting the cash from the register before putting it in the safe when the robber came into the store, walked around behind the counter and demanded the money at gunpoint. Once he had the cash in hand, the man fled. The clerk then called 911, and within three minutes the first deputies arrived on scene. A K-9 unit tracked the robber to a nearby driveway of an empty house where it is believed a getaway vehicle had been staged.

The robber was described as a black man about 5’8” to 5’10” tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He was bald and clean shaven, and appeared to be in his late 20s. He was last seen wearing grey shorts and a green shirt.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (386) 943-7866 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Tipsters can also provide information by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES. Anyone who provides information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.