SANFORD — Police were continuing to seek the identity of a man who held up the Super 8 Motel Tuesday night, but the woman who had a brief conversation with the suspect in a a nearby parking lot has stepped forward.

Police say the two did not know each other, but wanted to talk to her about their  conversation.

Det. Chad Allen on Friday said someone recognized the woman from a photo and called her, and she got in touch with police.

“She provided some information about the conversation,” Allen said.

Sanford Police, on the evening prior to Thanksgiving Day, had released a photo of the woman, who had been shopping at Wal-Mart Tuesday evening.

“This female was approached by the suspect in the Sanford Wal-Mart parking lot at 8:02 p.m.,” said Det. Sgt. Matthew Jones. “The unidentified female was putting bags in her vehicle when the suspect passed by her, doubled back and confronted her. A brief interaction took place between the two. It did not appear that the two were acquainted. The suspect walked away after the 30 second encounter.”

The attempted robbery took place about 20 minutes after the suspect left the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Jones said a white male, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 170-180 pounds, possibly in his 20s, entered the motel brandishing a knife. The suspect demanded money, but the clerk refused. The man then tried to grab a laptop away from the clerk at the front desk but was unsuccessful when the clerk pulled the laptop away from him. The clerk then stepped away from the desk into an area inaccessible to the suspect and called 911. The suspect left on foot heading north.  

The man was wearing dark gloves with a red or orange stripe and the words “Snap-On” printed on them. Snap-On is a national company that sells tools.

Police released three videos, which show the man pacing outside the motel for several minutes before entering the motel. The video shows the man leaving hurriedly as the desk clerk picked up her phone and began calling 911.

The videos may be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/SanfordPD/

Police are asking that anyone with information about the robbery to call Det. Chad Allen at 324-9170, ext. 223. After hours, call the Sanford Police Department at 324-3644. People may leave an anonymous tip by texting keyword SANFORD to CRIMES (274637) followed by the information you would like to provide, or submit a tip online at: www.tipsubmit.com.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].