Reported by Emily Lampa
SANFORD -- Police have released new surveillance video in their hunt for suspects in two violent gas station robberies.
The robberies both took place in September, but police said they have not been able to track down the suspects, and asked for the public to help bring them to justice.
In one video, a man is seen pretending to buy something, then gets behind the counter, forcing the clerk and another employee to the ground with a butcher knife.
Police said they believe the dark-skinned man may be in his mid- to late 40s.
In a second video, the suspect is seen forcing a clerk to the back of the store at gunpoint, then ties him up before stealing money.
Investigators said they believe the suspect in the second video might be connected to another gas station robbery that happened on that same day elsewhere in Seminole County, because the method of operation -- tying up the clerk in the back of the store -- is the same.
“They’re not implying -- they’re actually having the weapon and showing the weapon to these clerks,” said Sanford police Investigator Ricardo Ayala. “We want them off the streets. Like you can see in the video, this individual had a butcher knife, and he didn’t look like he cared for anyone’s life. He would take somebody’s life if they were to do something spontaneous.”
Police said they have good reason to believe that the men are from the Sanford area.
The suspect with the butcher knife fled the scene on foot. The man with the gun away on a bicycle.
If you have any information about who either of these two men, call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).
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