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Man threatens to kill woman during convenience store robbery, she says

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Burke County deputies are trying to identify a man who threatened to kill a worker during an armed robbery at a convenience store.

The clerk told Channel 9 the assailant repeatedly said he would end her life if she didn't follow his commands.

Deputies are trying to figure out if the same robber is possibly linked to another robbery in the area.

Surveillance video at the Fast Track convenience store in Hildebran captures the robbery.

Teresa Lane showed Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty how the suspect approached her demanding the store's money while threatening to kill her with what she thought was a gun.

"He's holding his weapon. He said, ‘I will kill you,’ and he come back toward the office, back towards me and he hesitated,” Lane said. “And he looked and started to walk out and came back and then hesitated again. And I thought, ‘He really is going to kill me this time.’"

Authorities are trying to determine whether or not there is any connection with this armed robbery last week in the Viewmont area of Hickory.

In both robberies, the man not only stole cash but also took tobacco products before running off.

In the most recent robbery, the surveillance video shows a quick look at the robber's face.

Employees said the suspect was very calm, never raising his voice much above a whisper as he robbed the store.

"He was cold-blooded. He has no remorse, no feelings, nothing,” manager Deb Shook said.

Lane said as the suspect walked out the door he yelled one more threat to kill her if she tried to move.

"Every time he told me he was going to kill me I just said you don't have to...you don't have to hurt me," Lane said.

Channel 9 learned this afternoon there was an eyewitness outside the store that spotted the getaway vehicle near the gas pumps.  It is described as 1990's model gold Mitsubishi.

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