"The store clerk advised officers that a Hispanic male, wearing a black jacket, black pants, black shoes and a black ski mask, brandished a handgun to demand money," Van said in a press statement.
She said the clerk turned over all the cash in the drawer, which amounted to about $150.
The clerk was not injured physically, but Van said he was shaken up after the incident.
The clerk was able to tell officers the suspect fled the scene in a black Toyota SUV.
"Gainesville officers reviewed surveillance footage to get better descriptions of the suspect and suspect vehicle," Van said. "The license plate of a black Toyota Highlander was partially identifiable in the video and officers quickly provided vehicle descriptions over the radio to local law enforcement."
Van said police soon found the abandoned Toyota just off Patterson Drive.
After further investigation, officers discovered the SUV had been stolen out of Oakwood. Upon further discovery, the vehicle returned stolen out of Oakwood, Georgia.
Van said anyone who has information on the incident should call the Gainesville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 770-534-5252.
