Deputies: robberies could be connected

PENSACOLA, Fla (WALA) - Escambia County, Fla. Deputies are now searching for suspects in two separate robberies on September 7 that they said may be connected.

Authorities said the first robbery occurred around 7:30 p.m. at the Advance Auto Parts on Mobile Hwy. They say two heavy-set black males entered the store, held employees at gunpoint and then took off with an unspecified amount of money.

Deputies said the second robbery happened around 8 p.m. that same night, when two heavy-set black males entered the O'Reilly's Auto Parts on Pace Blvd. They also held the employees at gunpoint and then made off with an unspecified amount of money.

Deputy Matt Baxter with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office says the suspects never physically hurt anyone in either of the two robberies. However, one employee was badly shaken by the crime and needed to be taken to the hospital.

“Any type of incident like this is very traumatic to the victims involved and it scares them pretty good, especially when firearms are involved," said Baxter, "If this is a string of robberies then they won’t stop and we really need to get it stopped before someone gets hurt."

Deputies used canines and searched around both stores for suspects but turned up nothing.

Authorities in Santa Rosa County also reported a robbery at the Advance Auto Parts around 10 p. m. in Navarre. They believe the robbery may also be connect to the two in Escambia County.

If you have any information on these crimes, contact the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.