JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A suspect behind a recent robbery stole the surveillance equipment to help avoid detection, but a detective figured out it was the same suspect in a previous robbery at the same business.
Both incidents happened at the Pizza Hut on Old St. Augustine Road at Losco Road; the most recent was Sunday morning.
An employee at the store said a female in a Pizza Hut uniform came to a side door and asked for business supplies.
Thinking she recognized her, the employee opened the door.
"I hate to do this to you," the suspect reportedly said to the employee. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report, the suspect then held a knife to the employee's neck and forced her into a walk-in cooler.
When the victim left the cooler, she noticed the surveillance equipment and money was missing from the store, and the suspect was nowhere to be seen.
Detectives were unable to find the suspect, but another officer who had been working on the previous burglary at the same business realized the two may be connected.
He showed the employee a picture of his suspect, and she identified the suspect.
Officers have searched for the suspect at her listed address, but have been unable to find her.
The suspect's name has not been released.
If you know anything that can help, call our partner First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS (8477). You will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
First Coast News