Police: robbers take cash, let clerk keep keys, other items at Fort Pierce gas station
FORT PIERCE — Police are investigating an armed robbery in which two assailants took cash from a woman, but allowed her to keep her keys and other items, according to a report and a Fort Pierce police sergeant.
Police about 10:14 p.m. on April 25 went to a BP gas station in the 2800 block of Okeechobee Road just west of South 25th Street following a robbery report.
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“The clerk of the business was closing up for the night. She locked the business, exited the front door and walked west towards her vehicle where her vehicle was parked,” police Sgt. Charles Donnon said Wednesday.
He said two males approached wearing hoodies and who had their faces covered with medical masks of the kind used during the pandemic.
One of the males, both described as 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing 120 to 160 pounds, told her to give him her bag, with threats that she would be shot.
The woman never saw a firearm, but the assailants claimed they had one, Donnon said.
She gave them her bag.
“She then asked them if she could have her keys, her cards and some items that were of value to her before they took off with her stuff,” Donnon said. “They complied, gave her her stuff back and just took the cash.”
He said when such things happen, investigators tend to suspect juveniles, as opposed to hardcore criminals.
“They're looking for quick cash and trying to scare somebody,” Donnon said.
No one was injured.
He said a police dog tracked the assailants toward the Hemlock Circle area north of the gas station, finding a black hoodie, black pants, surgical mask and a screwdriver.
“We're processing those items for DNA and for fingerprints ... and those have all been sent to the lab,” Donnon said.
Those with information are asked to call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-TIPS or Donnon at 772-467-6831.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Armed robbery: Fort Pierce BP gas station on Okeechobee Road targeted
