MONROE -- Monroe police are investigating an armed robbery at a local gas station in which a man took $638 and nearly $150 in merchandise early Monday, according to a police report.

Just before 3 a.m. Monday, a man entered the BP, at 4102 W. Highway 74,through the back door and pointed a small automatic handgun at Alma Aycoth, the only employee in the store, and demanded money.

He took money from both registers and a cash box under the counter. According to the police report, Aycoth said most customers aren’t aware of the box. She also told police his voice sounded familiar.

Neither Aycoth nor the store’s owner, Olin Furr, would comment.

Another BP, at 801 Lancaster Ave., was robbed Nov. 18. In that case, store clerk Samuel Stokes Jr. said two black men wearing masks entered through the front door and pointed guns at Stokes. They left with an unknown amount of money.

Aycoth described the man in Monday’s robbery as a 5-foot-5 black man with a small build. He was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, gloves and a ski mask, according to police.

Furr said the store is working with police and watching video surveillance footage to determine who the man is.