An unidentified man shot a computer screen during an armed robbery in Covington Sunday morning.

Police say an unknown suspect entered the 76/Circle K gas station and convenience store, 17624 SE 272nd St., just before 6 a.m. and demanded the female cashier give him money from the register and safe.

Covington Police Chief Kevin Klason said the clerk gave the man cash from the register, but that the safe was on a time lock and could not be opened for 10 minutes. The suspect told the clerk to lock the business doors and begin the safe’s opening sequence, Klason said.

“During that time (the suspect) got agitated… and cranked off a round at the computer monitor on the desk,” Klason said.

The suspect eventually fled out the rear door with money from the register and safe. Klason said a K-9 officer tracked the suspect’s scent to the Multi-Care parking lot, where the man likely escaped in an awaiting vehicle.Klason said there was no one else at the store and that the clerk was uninjured. He said the amount of money stolen is still being determined, though he said it was “probably substantial.”

About three hours after this incident, Covington police booked a man for investigation of robbery, after an alleged carjacking near Napa Auto Parts, 27623 Covington Way. According to King County Sheriff’s Office call log, that individual threatened to shoot someone who tried to stop him. Klason said the two incidents are separate and “coincidental” that they happened in such a close time frame.

“They don’t appear to be connected at all,” he said.

Klason said armed robberies are “a little out of the ordinary” for the area, but that discharging of a weapon is unusual. As to why the man decided to shoot, Klason could only speculate.

“It’s a high stress thing for (the robber), too,” he said.

Klason said police are attempting to pull video from the store and are looking for usable finger prints. He said the King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crime Unit will be handling the case.

Klason said police will be looking for patterns and connections with recent robberies in other jurisdictions.

Information on the suspect is limited because he was reportedly dressed in all dark clothing and had his face covered. He was described as being between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall, with, possibly, brown hair. Klason said his biggest concern is that robbery suspects don’t typically stop after a successful theft.

“In all likelihood, anyone that performs an armed robbery is already desperate,” Klason said. “This guy clearly demonstrated that he is dangerous.”

An employee at the 76/Circle K directed questions to the corporate office in Los Angeles.