Deputies: Band of robbers storms Orange County Walmart, fires shots

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A group of armed robbers stormed into a Walmart Neighborhood Market and fired shots early Friday in the Pine Hills neighborhood, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

The incident was reported shortly after 12:15 a.m. at the store on Clarcona Ocoee Road and North Pine Hills Road.

Deputies said the masked men barged into the store as employees were preparing to close for the night.

A shot was fired at one point, but no one was injured, officials said.

The men used a gun to force employees into a safe while a third suspect stood outside.

Investigators said the group got away with money and fled in a dark-colored car.

“They left with a large amount of money. There was a vehicle waiting for them outside and then they left the scene,” said Ingrid Tejada-Monforte of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies found the getaway vehicle, but not the three men.

Detectives said they're reviewing footage recorded by store surveillance cameras.

They released some of the footage Friday afternoon with the hope that someone might recognize the gunmen.

The masks make it difficult, but some parts of their faces and clothing can be seen in the video.

“By us releasing the Crimeline with their photos, hopefully someone will be able to identify (the men),” said Tejada-Monforte. “Maybe they’re known in the area. Maybe someone can recognize their height, their features or what they were wearing.”

"My mother won't even let me go outside (because of) all the drama that's going on," said Juvenal Andre, a youth group member who attended Thursday's start of the anti-crime event. "People are being killed and everything."

Andre said things must change in communities like Pine Hills and Parramore.

"I wouldn't like to see my little brother on the ground dead or anything," he said.

A $1,000 reward  is available for information leading to an arrest in the Walmart robbery.

Cox Media Group