Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a masked man who pistol whipped a Mercedes area store owner and a employee to steal $100 dollars.

It all happened at the Quickie Mart off Mile 2 East and Mile 9 North just outside Mercedes around 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office deputies told Action 4 News that an armed man in a purple hoodie, blue jean shorts and black bandana covering his face entered the store.

The masked man pistol whipped the store's owner and an employee and then took off with $100 dollars in cash from the register.

Investigators said the suspect was last seen fleeing the scene in an older model black or maroon Chevrolet Tahoe with 20-inch rims.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the robbery is asked to call Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-TIPS.