The Southern Pines Police Department is requesting the assistance of the community in identifying a person of interest who is pictured at right, according to a police report.

At 3:10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, a male entered the Kangaroo Express gas station located at 10805 US 15-501.

This subject indicated to the clerk that he wanted several cartons of Newport cigarettes.

When the clerk turned to remove the cigarettes from a cabinet behind the counter, the male subject made a comment that led the clerk to believe he may be armed, according to the release.

The subject entered the area behind the counter and removed five cartons of Newport cigarettes and subsequently fled the store on foot.

The subject was described as a black male, wearing a tan jacket, a tan hat, blue jeans and a white t-shirt.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Investigator Melissa Goodwin of the Southern Pines Police Department at (910) 692-7031.

You can also leave information anonymously by calling the Southern Pines Police Department’s crime tip line at (910) 693-4110.