The Halifax County Sheriff's Office is investigating an armed robbery which occurred around 4 this morning at the New Dixie Shell at the Zoo Road-Highway 158 intersection.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall said this morning it is too early to determine whether this robbery is related to four others which have occurred in the past few weeks — three in the city limits of Roanoke Rapids and one in Weldon.

A physical description of the suspect was not immediately available and sheriff's office detectives continue to investigate.

"We're currently investigating one suspect with the potential of there being more," Hall said.

Hall said the suspect in the case entered the store and threatened use of a weapon which was not a firearm. He declined to elaborate.

An undisclosed amount of money was taken in the heist.

The fifth robbery in the Roanoke Valley comes a day after New Dixie Oil President Scott Aman announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the armed robberies, including one in which a store clerk was shot.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff's office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.