A 43-year-old employee was grabbed and robbed at gunpoint as she went to close up the Garland internet store she was working in Monday night. Although shaken up, the employee was able to call law enforcement seconds after the strong armed robbery.

According to reports from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, a man entered the unsecured back door of Internet Sweepstakes, located at 60 East Front St. in Garland, around 10:40 p.m. Monday night and grabbed the employee who was walking towards the back door to lock up for the night.

The woman identified the suspect as a black male who was wearing a black hood, a black ski mask, blue jeans and red and white sneakers. She told investigators that he grabbed her, showing a weapon, and demanded money.

The suspect, who is listed 6 foot tall and weighing 130-135 pounds with a slim build, then went to the safe and grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled through the back door on foot.

No injuries were reported.

“We are looking for the suspect and are asking anyone who has any information on this incident to give us a call,” said Capt. Eric Pope Tuesday.

The incident is similar to one that took place just a month ago at the Triple S Internet Cafe, 343 North Blvd., Clinton, where a suspect showed the employee a firearm before robbing the business. That case is still unsolved.

“There is no indication that the two incidents are related,” Pope said. “There is nothing to indicate that right now. We are still investigating.”

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.