Armed men rob Dollar General, steal wallets from customers in Marion County

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Two armed men robbed a Dollar General store Monday night in Marion County, deputies said.

The robbery happened at about 9 p.m. at the store on Marion Oaks Manor.

Deputies said the men walked in and demanded money from the clerks before robbing two customers’ wallets. One of the customers was a 15-year-old boy, deputies said.

The men got away with an undetermined amount of cash, said authorities.

"They are willing to use their guns. They're shooting into ceilings. They're threatening people at gunpoint, pointing the guns directly in their faces," said  Lauren Lettelier, with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

One of the robbers was described as a lighter-skinned man, wearing khaki pants, a black hooded sweater and a camouflage bandana covering his face. The other robber was described as having a darker skin tone and he was wearing gray pants, a gray hooded sweater and what appeared to be a white tank top wrapped around his face.

"Hardworking people shouldn't have to worry about coming to the store and getting robbed," Lettelier said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP or 352-368-7867. Text tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP. Tips can also be submitted at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. For Crime Stoppers, please reference 16-109 in your tip.

Also for Crime Stoppers: If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for an award of up to $1,000.

There have been five robberies at Dollar General stores in Marion County since Sept. 1. Deputies believe the men have been responsible for all the crimes.

In October, armed robbers held a 9-year-old girl and her mother at gunpoint inside an Ocala Dollar General. You can read that story below:

Deputies said they've increased patrols, but would not say where. They're also working with the 38 Dollar General stores in the county and have specific detectives working the store robberies.

"We've devoted several detectives to investigate only these robberies. This is their only task," Lettelier said.

Cox Media Group