Robbery suspect caught on tape, still at large

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Escambia County Deputieshope surveillance video of an armed robbery at the Tom Thumb on North W Street will help them catch their suspect.

Deputies said the surveillance footage of the Oct. 14 robbery shows the suspect circling the inside of the store several times before walking up to the counter, pulling a handgun on the clerk and demanding money.

Authorities said the clerk complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. They said the suspect then took off running out of the store.

Deputies brought in a K-9 unit to scan the area for the suspect but the search proved fruitless.

Deontay Haynes was nearby in his Lee Street neighborhood Sunday afternoon when he says Escambia County Deputies came in looking for the suspect.

“It was a shock to me because we had kids playing basketball outside that day. Everyone had to go inside and stay out of the streets so the police could do what they had to do,” said Haynes.

Haynes said many people around the neighborhood were disappointed by the crime.

“We’re trying to have the kids grow up in a good environment but we can’t have that with all the violence around here. We’re trying to keep everybody safe and on a good path,” Haynes said.

If you have any information on the suspect in the video, you’re asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436 – 9630 or the Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433 – STOP.