Sweepstakes cafe robbed at gunpoint
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on January 16, 2018 12:07 PM
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is investigating an armed robbery at the 117 Internet Sweepstakes Cafe at 2339-I, U.S. 117 South Saturday.
Authorities say the man held an employee at gunpoint and stole $1,400 from the business along with an iPhone X.
The suspect reportedly entered the business around 12:45 p.m., sat down at a video game table and kept his head down.
A 51-year-old female employee then walked out of the office and into the game area.
After a few minutes, the suspect then got up and walked into a restroom beside the office.
The 51-year-old female employee then walked back into the office, where another employee -- a 22-year-old female -- was sitting.
The suspect then allegedly exited the bathroom and jammed a pistol into the 51-year-old female's left side.
He then reportedly demanded both of the female employees get down on the ground and took the $1,400.
The suspect then ordered the employees to crawl out of the office and back into the game area.
The man then fled the area on foot while the employees remained face down on the floor, according to a report filed on the incident.
Deputies responded to the scene, with some patrolling the area looking for the suspect while other officers spoke with the two victims.
The 22-year-old female victim was able to use an iPhone tracking app to locate the iPhone X taken during the robbery.
Deputies found the cell phone in front of 208 Arrington Bridge Road, and seized it as evidence.
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-11-inch tall black man, who is estimated to have weighed approximately 160 pounds.
He was wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.
Anyone with information about this crime, or any other crime in Wayne County is asked to call or text Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255 or submit a tip at p3tips.com.
Callers will remain anonymous and if your information leads to a felony arrest, you will be given a cash reward for the information.