THOMASVILLE — Not long after a reported predawn armed robbery Monday, police knew for whom they were looking.

A man entered the 1 O’clock Store at 105 Green St., shortly before 12:30 a.m. Monday and waited for a customer to leave before demanding money from the clerk, said Capt. Maurice Holmes, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander.

The clerk initially thought the stickup was a joke, Holmes said.

“The bandit said, ‘Open the register, or I will shoot you,'” Holmes said.

The clerk handed over the money, and the suspect fled, running on Green toward Stevens Street.

The suspect, described as a black male and brandishing a handgun, wore a camouflage jacket pulled up and zipped to cover his mouth and nose.

Early investigation lead to Ladarius Devonte Coley, 20, a Thomasville resident. A warrant was issued Monday for Coley’s arrest.

Anyone knowing Coley’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at (229) 227-3302. A reward is being offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820