MAPLEWOOD, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Maplewood police hope one frame of a surveillance video will help them catch an armed gas station robber. The suspect hit a Conoco on Big Bend but police also think he tried to rob a Conoco in Rock Hill. The clerk who was robbed is just thankful he's alive after staring right into a gun. Patrick Patterson, the clerk who was working that night, says he had no choice but to hand over money after seeing a gun pointed at his face.
"I had my back turned and then I turned around he had it pointing at me and said don't make me kill you put the register on the counter so I threw the register on the counter," says Patterson.
Police are not saying how much money was stolen but believe the photo will help them identify the suspect.
"The surveillance photo shows him entering the Conoco just prior to him pulling up his bandana and pulling out the firearm and demanding money from the cashier," said Det. Sgt. Matt Nighbor with Maplewood Police department.
Patterson feared he would be shot even after he handed over the cash.
"I just stared at the gun and that was about it. All I see is the gun and I'm like all right I'm going to give you the money I'm not going to risk my life for this job," said Patterson.
The holdup was less than an hour after another hold up attempt in Rock Hill. The clerk at that Conoco told the suspect he was going to call 9-1-1 and the suspect ran away. Patterson feels he did the right thing by handing over the money.
"I worked the next day and I'm not going to do anything differently I'm just going to kind of keep my eyes open," said Patterson.
Anyone with information on the case should contact the Maplewood Police Department at 314-645-3000.
"I had my back turned and then I turned around he had it pointing at me and said don't make me kill you put the register on the counter so I threw the register on the counter," says Patterson.
Police are not saying how much money was stolen but believe the photo will help them identify the suspect.
"The surveillance photo shows him entering the Conoco just prior to him pulling up his bandana and pulling out the firearm and demanding money from the cashier," said Det. Sgt. Matt Nighbor with Maplewood Police department.
Patterson feared he would be shot even after he handed over the cash.
"I just stared at the gun and that was about it. All I see is the gun and I'm like all right I'm going to give you the money I'm not going to risk my life for this job," said Patterson.
The holdup was less than an hour after another hold up attempt in Rock Hill. The clerk at that Conoco told the suspect he was going to call 9-1-1 and the suspect ran away. Patterson feels he did the right thing by handing over the money.
"I worked the next day and I'm not going to do anything differently I'm just going to kind of keep my eyes open," said Patterson.
Anyone with information on the case should contact the Maplewood Police Department at 314-645-3000.
