Exclusive video: Man robs Fort Myers Papa John’s at gunpoint

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for robbing a Fort Myers pizza shop at gunpoint.

According to Crime Stoppers, a man walked into Papa John’s at 3412 Cleveland Ave. at 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, brandishing a gun.

No was was injured and employees say it could’ve been a lot worse.

He reportedly grabbed the employees and pistol-whipped one of them before taking all the cash in the register and fleeing on foot.

He stole around $700 from the register.

“I’d ask him why he’s robbing a papa john’s. You know, who? Who robs a papa john’s?,” said Tiffani Vickers, a Papa Johns employee. The suspect held a gun to Vickers face.

“I was definitely scared, but I didn’t think that he was gonna shoot me. He was really nervous, so he could see it like his voice was shaky. He was shaking,” Vickers said.

WINK News exclusively obtained the security footage of the robbery.

A masked man, wearing a black sweatshirt and khaki pants, snuck into the restaurant with a gun. He then pointed the gun at two employees, one being a minor, and demanded they open the safe below the counter. The employee, Vickers, replied she didn’t know the code. He then got aggressive.

“I opened the register and told him, this is all that I could give him and he hit me over the back of the head with a gun. I don’t, not sure why. Maybe I wasn’t moving fast enough, but I told him that I couldn’t put it in a bag. And then I just handed him the entire till and told him to leave,” Vickers said.

The suspect knew where the safe was, which is why employees told WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean they think this was premeditated.

Police were on scene within minutes but the suspect fled on foot with around $700 dollars.

“It was scary, but I was more worried about my coworker that was there. You know, she’s a she’s a kid, you know, she’s still a minor,” Vickers said. In the surveillance footage, you’ll see Vickers move the minor behind her.

Vickers only had an injury to her head but she is going to be ok and is already back to work.

The suspect is still on the run.

If you have any information, contact SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. You can also submit tips online or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Remember, you can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.