LOMPOC, Calif.- Businesses are on high alert after a man robs a Lompoc Circle K store.
"There was a bandana, he had hoodie on, he was armed with a firearm and displayed it at the clerk," said Sergeant Chuck Strange, Lompoc Police Department.
Lompoc Police are searching for the suspect who walked into the Circle K, on Sunday just after 11:30pm, on the 1400 block of east Ocean Avenue on with a gun. At the time of robbery, the suspect's face was completely covered, making it more difficult for police to identify him.
"He's described as a male, 5'8'' to 6'0, stalky build, and unknown race at this time," said Strange.
Employees at Circle K wouldn't go on camera, but police say the suspect pointed a gun at the clerk, demanded cash, then ran off with the money. That's when police say the suspect landed here at the Travelodge parking lot.
Only a few feet away from where Travelodge employee, Maria Saenz works. Sanez says she's lucky her office was closed at the time.
"I mean if it had been an hour earlier, I would have been standing here. I had just closed the lobby," explained Maria Saenz, manager, Travelodge.
When Central Coast News asked what would she have done if the suspect came into her business Saenz said,"possibly if one of those people had run into one of my guests, I would have to be the one who probably would have to put an end to it and I'm probably not really prepared for that."
Sanez says she plans to be more cautious.
"I try to be careful and you know keep my antennas up," Sanez said.
Police say the suspect may have been waiting for a car at the Travelodge parking lot, but as of Monday evening, they still don't know for sure.
Lompoc Police are not releasing exactly how much the suspect was able to get away with, but tell Central Coast News no one was injured. If anyone has any information regarding this robbery they are urged to contact the Lompoc Police Department.
