Sweetbay Clerk Thought Robbery was a Joke

St. Petersburg Police are searching for a middle-aged man with graying hair who robbed a Sweetbay Liquors store, 7491 4th St. North, on Aug. 29. 

The suspect, wearing white sneakers and black shorts, entered the store and walked to the front counter. He told the cashier that he had a gun and was robbing the store. 

The victim, according to a police news release, initially dismissed the suspect, thinking it was a joke. The suspect then walked around to the back of the counter and approached the victim with a knife in hand.

The suspect demanded that the clerk open the register, and he then grabbed cash from the register and fled the business on foot

The St. Petersburg Police Department are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect in this case.  

He is described as a white male, 40-45 years old, 6'01"-6"03" and weighing 185-200 lbs. He had gray hair, wore black shorts, black shirt, black baseball cap, white tennis shoes. He held a knife in his right hand.

Anyone with information should call the non-emergency number at 727-893-7780, Text-A-Tip to 727-420-8911 or leave a confidential tip at 727-892-5000.