LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detectives are searching for the suspect and a person of interest in the armed robbery of an Advance America store.
Lakeland Police say the armed man entered the store located at 1283 Ariana Street behind an exiting customer on Saturday, March 10 at 6:45 p.m.
Officers report the unknown suspect used a strap to bind an employee's hands. Police say he took cash from the register and placed it into a blue Nike drawstring bag before leaving the store.
Authorities describe the suspect as a black man, between 20 and 40 years of age, 6'0" tall weighing approximately 250 lbs. He was last seen wearing a dark sweatshirt with hoodie, black pants, white sneakers, and a white Los Angeles Angels baseball cap and surgical mask.
The person of interest police are looking for is the unmasked man who exited the store as the suspect walked in. Police say he completed a small money order before leaving.
The person of interest is described as a black man, between 20 and 30 years of age, under 6 feet tall, weighing about 220 lbs. He was last seen wearing a dark green shirt.
If you have any information about either the suspect or the person of interest, you are asked to contact Lakeland Police Det. Laura Robertson at (863) 834-6974 or via email at Laura.Robertson@lakelandgov.net.
Persons who wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward may give a tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 226-TIPS.
