Video captures armed robbery of Mandarin convenience store

Jacksonville, FL — WARNING: These videos contain graphic language

A search is underway for the man who robbed the Welcome Food Store on Loretto Road in Mandarin on Tuesday night.

Surveillance video from the store shows a man in a gray hoodie walk into the store holding what appears to be a gun.

We were told the man held the employees at gunpoint and demanded cash. The owner of the store says they are now offering a $3,000 dollar reward, which is up from the original $2,000 dollar reward.  The store, just down the street from Loretto Elementary School, has also hired armed security following the robbery.

The morning manager at the store, Karen Reape,  says she is horrified to think about what the employees in the store during the robbery went through and all the emotions they must have felt. Reape became emotional when she started talking about her 9-year-old daughter who she often brings to work.

“What if my little girl had been here? What if my little girl was the one coming out of the bathroom when he walked in with a gun?” Reape says.

She says she is thankful for the community's help during this difficult time.

“I’ve worked here 12 years, and as far as I know, as long as they’ve owned the store this has never happened.” Reape says.

She says there were no customers in the store during the robbery and JSO says no one was hurt. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

NEW VIDEO: Another angle from surveillance inside the Welcome Food Store