DELAND -- A gun-wielding man robbed a clothing store near DeLand Wednesday night and forced the store owner to strip off his pants and lock himself in a bathroom, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported.
Once the victim handed over cash and complied with the robber's demands, the robber fled. The owner was the only person in the store at the time.
No shots were fired and no one was injured. Volusia County Sheriff's deputies and DeLand Police officers combed the area but, did not find the suspect, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.
The robbery happened at 6 p.m. at Romeo & Juliet clothing store, 320 North Spring Garden Ave., Unit #F.
The 43-year-old victim told responding deputies that he was on the phone when a young man with a bandana over his face came in through the front door and pointed a
handgun at him. The robber ordered the store owner off the phone and then demanded money.
"When the victim handed over some cash, the robber then told him to take off his pants, go into the bathroom and lock the door," Haught said. "Once the victim thought that the robber was gone, he exited the bathroom and called 911.
The suspect was described as black in his late teens to early 20s. He is about 5 feet 3 with a medium build. The victim said the suspect's hair was a fluffy afro, and he had no facial hair that he could see. The robber wore black pants, a black T-shirt and the bandana on his face.
Witnesses saw the suspect get into a silver, four-door vehicle, possibly a Dodge Intrepid. There may have been an accomplice waiting in th car.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Sheriff's investigator David McNamara at (386) 943-7866 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida toll-free at 1-888-277-TIPS. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. Individuals can also Text a tip by texting TIP231 plus the message to CRIMES.