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The first armed robbery of the New Year happens on the east side of Sioux Falls during Monday’s early commute.
The suspect pulled a handgun and demanded money from the cash drawer around 7:00 a.m.
Gary Cone is the owner of the convenience store and was also the clerk behind the counter.
While he did give in to the robber’s demands, it wasn't before trying to talk the man out of committing the crime.
"I said, 'Don't shoot me,' and I'm glad he didn't do that," Cone said.
Cone has been in the business for 42 years and Monday was his first experience with an armed robber. It wasn't at all what he expected.
"He was very calm and collected and nice. He wasn't really rude or shaky or anything," Cone said of the robbery who pulled the handgun and demanded cash. Cone remembers looking up at the suspect when he tried to talk him out of it.
"I told him, ‘Sir, you don't want to do this, and he said, ‘Yes I do.’ He said, ‘I want your money.’ I said, ‘Are you sure,’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ Then he said, ‘Give me your money,’ and so we gave him the money and out the door he went," Cone said.
Police are looking for a black man who is 6'4" to 6'5" tall. Cone's surveillance video shows the man is dressed in black and wearing a black mask over his face. The man was still carrying the gun when he headed for the door.
In addition to having surveillance video and pictures, police say often times when an armed robbery suspect is caught, it's because family and friends share information.
"They've given detective different amounts. Sometimes it's little bits; sometimes it’s just a suspicion or hunch. But sometimes those little bits of information are what we need to solve these robberies," Sioux Falls Police public information officer Sam Clemens said.
Cone is just thankful no one was hurt.
"I'm glad he didn't shoot anyone and I wish he'd quit that stuff because sooner or later, he's probably going to get caught. We hope so anyway, but I'm glad I'm the one who was here and not any of my employees," Cone said.
Police encourage anyone with information about this armed robbery to call, text or email Crime Stoppers.
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