HERNANDO - The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is investigating an armed robbery at the Citrus Hills Lodge, 350 E. Norvell Bryant Highway (County Road 486).

The robbery occurred just before 4 a.m. today.

The night clerk told deputies that there was a knock on the door of the office where he was working. When he answered it, a lone subject forced his way inside and ordered the clerk to get down on the floor while pointing a firearm at him. The suspect wanted to know where the money was.

The clerk described the robber as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build and a deep voice. He also noticed a large unknown tattoo on the suspect’s left forearm. According to the clerk, the man was wearing a black hoodie with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, blue jean shorts and a white shirt or cloth covering his face and neck.

After the suspect repeatedly asked where the money was, the clerk handed over a key and said the only money was in the desk at the front lobby.

The robber made his way out into the front lobby area and returned to the office shortly thereafter. He again instructed the clerk to stay on the floor and not move.

The victim could hear the front lobby doors close, so he waited a few seconds before peeking outside. He told deputies he saw a white or light gray boxy-looking vehicle, possibly a Buick four-door sedan, leaving the lodge’s parking lot heading west. He said it appeared to be a late 80s or early 90s model.

An undetermined amount of money was missing from the desk’s cash drawer, and no injuries were reported.

While a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued for the suspect vehicle, it is unknown at this time whether or not the sedan actually was involved in the robbery.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 911 or 726-1121 right away.

Or contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc. Report your tip by texting CITRUS to 274637 (Crimes), clicking on www.crimestopperscitrus.com or calling 1-888-ANY-TIPS toll-free. Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.