East Texas

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

LONGVIEW — Authorities are searching for a man thought to have robbed a Gregg County convenience store this morning and assaulted the clerk with a long gun.

Gregg County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Claxton said his office received a 911 call about 9 a.m. this morning that a business had just been robbed in the 4600 block of U.S. Highway 259 north.

“Deputies arrived within minutes and found that the business owner had been assaulted by the suspect after the suspect gained entry into the business. The victim was hit in the upper body with a long gun that was in the business. Initial reports indicate that the suspect was armed with a handgun,” Claxton said.

He added the victim received medical treatment at an area hospital.

Claxton said during the search several area businesses including a day care were put on lockdown to guarantee the public’s safety.

“A citizen’s report of a man seen running south from the business in the direction of Henderson Lane whom matched the description of the suspect was investigated,” he said.

A line of law enforcement personnel from the Sheriff’s office, Longview Police, Texas Highway Patrol and the Precinct 1 Constables office locked down an area while sheriff and police K9s searched the area.

“The K9 track failed to materialize and the area was released around 10:45 a.m.,” he said.

The suspect was described as a white male, last seen wearing an orange hoodie and black colored jeans.

The investigation continues and anyone with information can call investigators at 903-236-8400 or 903 236-STOP.