The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Wedneseday night armed robbery at the Marathon service station at 12752 U.S. 278, Social Circle.

According to Public Information Officer Cortney Morrison, a store employee and her boyfriend were cleaning the store and preparing to close it for the night when a lone gunman entered the store about 10:45 p.m.

The gunman, wearing a ski mask and gloves and dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt, jumped up on the counter and demanded money, Morrison said. He fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

A K-9 unit was called to the scene, but attempts to track the suspect were unsuccessful, Morrison said. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Morrison stressed that tips can be made anonymously by phone at 678-625-1400 or through the Sheriff’s Department’s website.

Fruit packs punch

An argument over a borrowed truck left one man with 10–15 stitches in his face, according to reports.

Terrance Smith of Atlanta told a Covington Police Department officer the morning after the incident that he had paid a man named Fruit Norwood to borrow Norwood’s truck for a couple of hours.

Smith said that he returned before the agreed-upon time, and Norwood wanted his truck back. An argument ensued and, according to reports, Smith said that Norwood swung at him and hit the left side of his face. EMS and police units were called to the scene, 3132 Lunsford Circle SW in Covington, and Smith initially told them that he fell and did not want to get anyone in trouble.

He was transported to the Newton Medical Center, where the "substantial-size laceration’’ in his face was stitched up. Photos of his injury were taken, and he was advised to contact the police department if he had more information about the incident. He also was advised on the method of obtaining a temporary protection order, reports said.