AHOSKIE – The manager of the Ahoskie Market, located on North Academy Street, was robbed at gunpoint Monday morning and suffered an injury in the process.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh said the crime occurred at around 10:45 a.m. as the victim was walking to his vehicle, parked adjacent to the Market.

“The manager was carrying a bank bag at that time as he was preparing to leave the store and deposit that money in the bank,” said Fitzhugh.

The APD Chief said the manager’s vehicle was parked along Carolina Avenue near Destiny Faith Church (the site of an old laundromat).

“He had exited a back door of the Ahoskie Market and was walking across the street towards his vehicle at which time two individuals approached him who were apparently once hidden behind the church building,” Fitzhugh said.

Both suspects, Fitzhugh said, were described as “light-skinned” males and the majority of their faces were concealed by green-colored bandanas. One was armed with a handgun.

“The victim said he was asked to surrender the bank bag and he complied,” Fitzhugh noted. “Upon handing over the bag, the suspect armed with the weapon struck the victim in the face with the handgun, after which both suspects fled on foot, heading back in the same direction from which they came.”

APD Officer John Ashley arrived on the scene, along with Fitzhugh and APD Major Jimmy Asbell. APD K-9 Officer Clifton Whitby was summoned to the scene and “Rico” was able to track the direction of the two suspects from the back of the church through a wooded area (behind the adjacent Duck-Thru convenience store) and to the area of Baker and West streets where the trail went cold.

Fitzhugh said an undisclosed amount of money was stolen.

As for the victim, Fitzhugh said he was transported by Hertford County EMS to Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

“We’re seeking the public’s help in solving this armed robbery,” Fitzhugh remarked. “Anyone who saw anything suspicious around 10:30 to 11 on Monday morning, especially seeing two individuals exit the woods along Baker or West streets and possibly enter a vehicle parked there, to please give us a call at 252-332-5012.”

Fitzhugh also reminded Ahoskie business owners that his officers provide escorts to those making bank deposits, day or night.

“Just give us a call and we’ll send an officer to safety escort you to the bank,” he stressed.