AHOSKIE – A convenience store clerk was left shaken, but uninjured following an armed robbery here Sunday night.

Currently, the Ahoskie Police Department is searching for three men in connection with the heist at Duck-Thru Convenience Mart #3, located on NC 561 west near the NC 11 intersection. The three alleged bandits were each armed with a handgun.

Ahoskie Police Chief Steve Hoggard reported the hold-up alarm was received at 11:39 p.m. at which time several APD officers rushed to the scene. According to the store clerk on duty, three black males entered the store, demanded money and threatened to kill the clerk. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, they fled through the front door and were last seen on foot in the store’s parking lot.

Upon arrival of law enforcement officers – including members of the Ahoskie Police, Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol and Aulander Police – the store was secured and the canine search unit from the Gates County Sheriff’s Office was summoned.

&uot;The dog picked-up a track from the front door of the store and followed it into the parking lot of the Ahoskie Inn, which sits adjacent to the Duck-Thru,&uot; said Hoggard.

Using a description of the suspects – all dressed in dark clothing wearing masks and gloves – lawmen launched an immediate search of the Duck-Thru/Ahoskie Inn area. Included was a room-by-room search of the motel.

Hoggard reported that one person in the motel was briefly detained and questioned, but was later released.

Ahoskie Police Detective Sgt. Troy Fitzhugh is handling the ongoing investigation. Those with any information concerning the robbery are urged to contact Ahoskie Crimestoppers at 332-4066. That hotline only needs information, not the name of the caller.