Two men robbed a Bradenton gas station. They were not after cash, cops say

At about 3:19 a.m. Monday, two men entered the Speedway gas station at 8604 State Road 70 E. and robbed it, deputies say.

According to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office press release, the two men entered the store and tried to distract the clerk by asking to see a variety of items behind the counter.

When the clerk refused to move from his station, the suspects briefly left the store before returning a few seconds later and rushed the clerk, deputies say. One of the suspects claimed to have a gun, but the clerk told deputies one was never seen.

While one suspect kept watch on the clerk, the other went around the counter with a large black plastic bag and stole an unknown amount of cigarettes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 941-747-3011 or call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

This story was originally published August 5, 2019 at 12:06 PM.