Last Updated: Tuesday, 11:03 a.m.
Sharps Liquor at Flagler Plaza was the target of an armed robbery late Monday night, the fourth time the store has been targeted by armed robbers in less than two years. The robber, according to a heavily redacted police report, demanded the money from the cash register, along with a bottle of Hennessy, a cognac. The store clerk handed it over.
Moments later, a man fired a gun at the Subway sandwich shop adjacent to Sharps.
The bullet, reportedly fired at a woman in the store, lodged in a door. No one was injured. The armed man fled toward the Sun Trust bank building and into the night. Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies have established a perimeter around the area of the robbery and the shooting, and have sent a be-on-the-lookout advisory to neighboring counties.
The robbery at Sharps was reported just after 9:20 p.m.
Initial descriptions of the suspect have him as a black male, medium build, about 5’10”, wearing a plaid shirt, short-sleeved, gray jeans and a dark-gray baseball cap. The man may have dreadlocks.
“At this time, it is unknown if the suspect left on foot or in a vehicle,” the redacted police report states. “All witnesses observed the male flee the immediate area on foot, but several also mentioned that a vehicle was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed shortly after. A description of this vehicle is unknown at this time. A silent store alarm at Subway alerted a local alarm company of the incident.”
Though the suspect was seen running toward Winn-Dixie, witnesses there said no man fitting that description entered the store.
The caliber or make of the gun used is not known at this time.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 or call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.
Surveillance Video of Suspect at WinnDixie Before the Robbery[media id=341 width=500 height=400]
A.S.F. says
But we really need the sheriff’s headquarters in Bunnell because that’s where all the serious crime is!
The Truth says
So what would you suggest: putting the HQ in the Winn Dixie shopping center?
A.S.F. says
Maybe we should consider it. It might be cheaper and serve its purpose at least as well.
The Truth says
It’ll serve it’s purpose until something happens in another part of our county and people like you jump the gun on moving it someplace else.
Ben Dover says
They need to install a sawed off shot gun under the counter in that store aimed right at who ever is standing on other side and blow their family jewels off next time, this is getting crazy
livesinpalmcoast says
Its so sad, you have to be afraid about going to buy dinner at your local subway shop.
I am glad no one was hurt.
If the attempt of the robbery went wrong at the liquor store why did it take cops so long to get to the scene. Boy they are SLOW here in this county. They should have been alerted before the guy went into the subway shop.
Ron says
I don’t understand why you criticize the FCSO and say it took the police “so long to get to the scene.” Where does it indicate that in the story???
Anonymous says
@livesinpalmcoast- Where in this article does it state how long it took for the Sheriff’s Office to arrive on scene??? How do you know their response to this call was slow? Are you aware of the reduced patrol squads within the Sheriff’s Office? If there are no available units due to reduced road patrol Deputies, who is supposed to respond? You should educate yourself before making statements like this.
Also, how is the Sheriff’s Office supposed to know that there is a robbery in progress or that one just occurred if there was no notification to them prior to the silent alarm from subway? The Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have a magic ball that “sees all and knows all.” Unless an alarm goes off (electronically or manually) or someone calls to notify the Sheriff’s Office about the crime, how are they supposed to know about it??? Available Deputies can not actively patrol every roadway, residence and/or business at the the same time! I agree that it’s sad that crimes like this happen, but that’s the only thing that I agree with you about.
ill stay in ormond thanks says
no one was targeted at the sandwich shop. The shots fired had to do with the liquor store. The sandwich shop got caught in the middle so to speak.
Shocked, I tell you... says
I think things are beginning to get out of hand, Sheriff Manfre. What do we pay you for?
The Truth says
What could Sheriff Manfre have done to prevent something like this from happening? It seems some of you have this false sense of “nothing should go wrong in our small little town” and that’s just not the case. We have been the “fastest growing city” in the country for several years. Unfortunately, with that comes some crime. I do not believe we are out of hand. I am confident our sheriff’s office will catch those responsible for this.
The Truth says
This is unfortunate and I hate to see these things happen. Please remember we are a community of nearly 90,000. I think many still believe Palm Coast and surrounding areas are the small little towns they once were. There is still a lot of great things about our community. In many cities, these things happen daily and never get solved. I have confidence that we will find who did this very soon. I’m glad no one was hurt.
DLF says
Again, I rest my case on the facts of this case and the description of the robber. Lets push again to do away with guns and laws that allow you to protect yourself.
Sgt Saber says
Never go out after 9:00 p.m. in the Palm Coast Area because its extremely dangerous and Sheriff Manfre wants to repeal the STAND YOUR GROUND LAW…But never fear, the city is making MILLIONS on the Traffic Camera’s catching Granny going over the dotted line of the intersection………
RHWeir says
Close proximity to I95 and Bunnell, not far from where that gas station clerk was killed a while back. Easy stop and rob locations or DB and shoot area. I’ve noticed quite a few break ins for the E section not far away as well. Yeah, keep the cop shop down there. Heck, put a Dunkin Donuts in the area as a cop magnet. How about a sheriff’s sub station there or where to old Food Lion was, lots of vacant storefronts.
JL says
I’m glad no one was hurt and I agree, we shouldn’t blame the police. But if the same guy has repeatedly robbed this same store, something’s up. Is there video surveillance? I would have cameras, and if I was the store owner, a loaded gun ready when I see anyone fitting the description. Hopefully, this person is found soon before someone gets hurt.
Ron says
Maybe Sharps should sell products that don’t attract robbers. Maybe they should become a outlet for Hillary Clinton for president in 2020, 2024 and 2028 (the Democrats will repeal term limits for chief exec).
Shocked, I tell you... says
At The Truth says: Yes, it is very unfortunate. Let’s see how you feel when that gun is pointed at you in the next robbery attempt.
Citizen says
If I worked at night in a liquor store close to the interstate I would be armed. God forbid I shoot at a black perpetrator then we would have another Trayvon Martin case.
Pat says
they need to buzz people in instead of having a door that just opens. Maybe a camera shot along with the entry like no entry after 9 pm without photo.? you’ve got to do something! . they do it for the red lights
Columbo says
when I heard of the robber’s weakness for Hennessy, I had a feeling…and the picture confirmed it. Was it Hennessy Black? Not that it matters…but this stuff ain’t cheap. Such expensive taste requires discretionary income that most of us no longer enjoy. Can’t remember the last time I had a bottle of Martini and Rossi Asti. And that stuff is only around $15.00 for a 750ml bottle…the times they are a changin….in more ways than we can fathom…
Anonymous says
David O’Brien for Sheriff!
Charles "Bub" Robson says
Robbery after robbery, assaults, and Murder are occurring at this intersection of I-95 and Rt-100 its time for the FCSO to get serious about the amount of crime in that area. Having been an LEO for almost 40 yrs I strongly recommend a totally unmarked car, such as a 2dr something car, a 2 man team for the next 60 days and start taking the garbage out on a regular basics. The unsolved homicide across the street is enough for a 24/7 team to get the job started, sending a message you are going to pay the next time you commit a serious crime in the area. Good luck on taking out the trash.
Bridgetender69 says
Thank you so much Palm Coast for expanding so much on a whim and a prayer. this city is spread too far out and dont have the resources to protect it. With a fire house or cops. That area is south and east of 95 no resources there. a murder and several robberies in a half mile area. Nice landscape though.
trebor says
THANKS TO FDOT, AND THE COUNTY, WE WILL SOON HAVE ANOTHER I95 INTERCHANGE AT MATANZAS WOODS PARKWAY EXPOSING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND MATANZAS HIGH STUDENTS TO INTERSTATE VIOLENCE. ALLTO BENEFIT DEVELOPERS WITH DEEP POCKETS. WHAT A DISGRACE!
Rick Belhumeur says
You would think that someone that has been robbed that many times would invest in a better surveillance camera.
anon says
Odd that no one commented on the actual suspect. Something’s off, but I can’t quite pin it. A man with dreadlocks , imo, would not dress like that. The styles just do not go together. And the way he walks thru the Winn Dixie; his posture, looking around and looking down. I don’t think he was looking down to avoid cameras. As for the request for Hennessy? It’s been publicized, so now all would be robbers might just request a bottle of Hennessy so folks think it’s the same person. I mean if he loves Hennessey, why just take one bottle, why not two? or 4? Doesn’t add up.
He walks with his arms too far out from his body. It looks natural for him, but other people around him are not walking like that. I have seen one other person who carried himself just like that, posture, looking around, arms out – maybe for keeping anyone from getting too close? The person I saw move like that had just gotten out of prison, had been there for a few years. It’s not the same person, the one I saw was white, but the walk and stance is the same.