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Knife-wielding robber holds up motel in front of child

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — Douglasville police have released the surveillance video of a brazen motel robbery that was committed in front of a 2-year-old boy.

A knife-waving man held up the motel's clerk, and then fled the building with a pocket full of cash.

The clerk said her son was sitting with her in the lobby, eating cereal when the would-be customer walked in.

Panna Patel said she thought he was just a normal customer asking about room rates until he jumped the counter.

The video shows the man jumping the counter and Patel jumping back. He waves what appears to be a large butcher knife at her and then takes all the cash out of the register.

He then fled out the door, running east on Duralee Lane.

A BOLO put out by the Douglasville Police Department said the man may have possibly gotten into a tan or beige minivan.

Channel 2's Tony Thomas showed the video to guests at the motel who say they have never seen the man around the business before.

"I don't know. I've ever seen him around before and I've been in Douglasville all my life." said David Lewallen.

Investigators describe the robber as a white male, 5-feet-8 to 6 feet tall, weighing 150 to 160 pounds.

He was wearing baggy blue jeans, a black shirt or possibly sweatshirt, black shoes , and a burgundy "Alabama" ball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sims with Douglasville police at 678-293-1743.