BASALT, Colorado – Basalt police on Tuesday released the image and description of a robbery suspect who held up a manager of the Basalt 7-Eleven at knifepoint early Dec. 19.

The suspect is at large. Police hoped that someone would recognize his image or description and contact them with any information at 927-4316.

The quality of the image is poor because it is taken from the store’s video surveillance camera. The man was described as 5-feet, six inches tall; 120 to 140 pounds; with dark, shaved hair and a shadowed mustache and beard. He speaks both Spanish and English. He smokes Marlboro Light cigarettes.

According to police, the man popped into the 7-Eleven at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday to purchase cigarettes. The manager was in the store alone. After acquiring the smokes, the man departed but returned a moment later, saying he needed a soda. As the manager was walking to get behind the counter, he grabbed her and put a knife to her side. He demanded money and attempted to flee via a backdoor, which the manager said she couldn’t open. The manager broke the man’s grip, locked herself in a bathroom and called police.

Officers were on a traffic stop a short distance away, but the suspect fled before they arrived. He obtained only a small amount of cash, according to Basalt Sgt. Stu Curry.