A man was robbed at gunpoint while he was taking out the trash at his job early Monday morning, and the robber is still on the loose.
The employee, who works at Art of Billiards on 4251 SW 13th St., was behind the store washing kitchen mats and throwing out the garbage when he noticed someone approaching from Williston Road, said Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesman Art Forgey.
At first, the man made small talk with the employee, even asking if Art of Billiards was hiring, Forgey said.
"He said he was feeling kind of uncomfortable because the man was holding his hands behind his back," Forgey said.
As the conversation ended, the man showed his hands and pointed a black handgun at the employee, forcing him toward the back of the building, Forgey said.
He ordered the employee onto his knees and demanded he empty his pockets. The employee took out his wallet and whatever bills he had, Forgey said.
The robber then took the bills out of the wallet, threw the wallet back at the employee and ran east toward the woods, Forgey said.
The employee was not otherwise injured, Forgey said.
The suspect is described as a black man in his mid-20s, about 6'1" and of slim, but muscular build, he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 352-955-1818, or to make an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867 for a reward of up to $1,000.
