PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public to help identify an armed robbery subject who used a knife to demand money from the owner of the Asian Cai Lay Market in Port Charlotte on Thursday. CCSO responded to a hold-up alarm at 7:11 p.m. at 1380 El Jobean Road. The 43-year-old owner told deputies a man came into his store with a knife and demanded money from the cash register. The manager refused to open it and the robber then pointed a knife at a 19-year-old customer, demanded his money, and then fled around the back of the business. K-9 was called and attempted to track with negative results. A BOLO was issued for the subject, who is about 6-foot tall, weighing about 180 to 200 pounds, wearing a large farmer’s style hatand was wearing a light-[colored long-sleeve shirt or lightweight jacket.

If anyone has information about the possible identification of the subject shown in the store surveillance photos, please call CCSO Detective Paul Underwood at 941-639-2101, or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).