Masked man with knife robs NSB Sugar Creek Citgo

NSBNews.net photos by Henry Frederick / The Volusia County Sheriff's Office responded to a 9-1-1 call  of an armed robbery 1:44 p.m. Sunday at the Sugar Creek Citgo on S.R. 44 near New Smyrna Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A masked man armed with a large knife, possibly a machete, robbed the Sugar Creek Citgo on S.R. 44 near New Smyrna Beach this afternoon.

No one was injured during the hold-up, which is under investigation by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were dispatched to the store after the Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call reporting the robbery at 1:44 p.m.

"The suspect, wearing a mask, black gloves and dark clothes, walked into the store with a very large knife resembling a machete and demanded the money from the cash register," Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

"To show he meant business, the robber shoved over a display," Davidson said. "The clerk complied with the demands and the robber grabbed an undisclosed amount of money before dashing out of the store and driving off eastbound on S.R. 44 in a grey or silver minivan."

The owner of Sugar Creek said his wife was alone when the man came in wielding the large knife.

"She was was terrified -- afraid," he told NSBNews.net. "She is a small Indian woman and he was knocking everything over."

Deputies canvassed the area while responding to the call, but were unable to locate the rober, Davidson said. He was described as a black man between 5 feet 9 and 6 feet tall, with an average build. He was wearing a black, long-sleeve shirt and dark pants.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Tipsters can also text a tip by texting "TIP231 plus the message" to CRIMES. Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. Anyone who prefers to talk directly to a deputy can call (386) 423-3301. However, only callers to Crime Stoppers will qualify for a reward.

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