GREENE COUNTY, Mo. – An armed robbery at a truck stop in Greene County has led to deputies searching for the suspect, calling him “armed and dangerous.”

The suspect brandished a weapon at employees at Hood’s Truck Stop South State Highway K and demanded money from the safe Thursday morning. He also stole the employees’ cell phones.

“He went to the office. He didn’t.. he walked right by my other employees at the fuel desk, and he went straight to the office where we have a safe,” said Paul Hood, the VP of Hood’s Truck Stop. “We’ve never seen him before, but obviously, either him or somebody he knows has been here before.”

Paige Rippee with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said, “It almost seemed like it was routine. He kind of knew where he was going. So that’s obvious, obviously, being taken into factor as well with the investigation.”

He then left the store and fled in a red Dodge Avenger with no plates.

“Both of our employees that were here, that were actually at gunpoint, they’ve been long-time employees and were not bothered by it, somewhat. We always tell our employees if somebody has a gun and threatens you to give them what they want,” said Hood. “When you’re a cashier in these situations, it’s something that you might have to deal with. And so we’ve let them know, look, this is kind of what goes on sometimes.”

“Honestly, they did the right thing. I mean, as soon as he walked out the door, they were calling 911 and we had deputies there within a few minutes,” said Rippee.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late 40s/early 50s with white hair and a white goatee. He was last seen wearing a denim jacket and jeans, a cowboy-style hat, and black sunglasses.

“We’re going to put a buzzer on the door, probably a security door, before you go into the lobby of the office and then a camera. So you’ll have to be buzzed into the office from this point on,” said Hood.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office described him as armed and dangerous and request that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Greene County Crime Tip Hotline at 417-829-6230.

“He presented a firearm at two people and so he probably wouldn’t be against doing it to someone else or another gas station. So if you do know this person or you happen to recognize him, just call law enforcement. And if you do come in contact with them, call 911,” said Rippee.

“I just hope they get caught. So everybody’s safe. We’re all fine,” said Hood.