Elberta restaurant robbed at gunpoint

ELBERTA, Ala. (WALA) - Elberta Police are looking for an armed man who robbed a restaurant at gunpoint just as it opened for business on Monday morning.

The victim, an employee at the "Grits-N-Gravy" was working alone and said it was a terrifying experience and something he’ll probably have nightmares about.

“I was this close to him and he put the gun in my face just like that and I had to change my clothes,” said Patrick McDaniel.  “How bout’ that? It was a very scary situation.”

McDaniel was working by himself, prepping the kitchen when a man walked in a little before 6:00 a.m. and asked if he could break a $50 bill for a cup of coffee. When McDaniel went for change, he said the suspect pulled out a gun and demanded all of the money.

“I’ll probably have nightmares tonight because I can’t get it off my mind,” McDaniel said. “I can’t believe this happened in this little town.”

McDaniel says that from the time the suspect came through the front door, it only took a minute or two for him to get the money and take off.

"I’ve never seen the guy before, so I don’t know what to think,” McDaniel remarked.  “Like I said, I’ve never had this happen before.  It’s a very scary thought to have a gun put in your face.”

The suspect took off through the back door of the restaurant and disappeared. No vehicle was spotted leaving the scene. Elberta Police responded and are working on the leads they have at this time.

“We’re looking for a white male at this time, probably in his mid-30s, 5'10" to 6-foot tall, slender build, not clean-shaven, shoulder-length, mullet-style haircut… brown in color,” said Sgt. Scott Tart with the Elberta Police Department.  “He had on a green, Army fatigue style jacket and blue jeans.”

Police say the suspect only got away with a small amount of cash but, if caught, he’ll face first-degree robbery charges.

If you saw anything this morning that could be related to this crime, you’re asked to contact Elberta Police.