Deputies hunt for masked gunman
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

A convenience store owner was robbed at gunpoint inside her own garage.

The 51-year-old victim was getting out of her car around 1:20 a.m. Saturday when a masked man pushed her onto the floorboard and held a gun to her head.

According to a report filed at the Burke County Sheriff's Office, the gunman told her "shh" and pointed to her purse, which contained a deposit for her Augusta convenience store.

After grabbing the purse, the robber hit the victim with the car door and ran into the woods beside her Farmers Bridge Road home.

"She was scared half to death, but not hurt," Capt. Frankie Parker said, adding that the robber probably slipped into the garage as the victim opened it with a remote control and pulled in.

The robber is described as a black male, approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 120 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Capt. Parker at 706-554-2133.