Rockdale County Sheriff's Office deputies are asking the public's help in solving two recent armed robberies of convenience stores.

In both instances, the clerks at the convenience store were sprayed in the face with a chemical such as Mace or pepper spray. In the most recent robbery - which occurred in the early morning hours on Sunday, Jan. 6 - the clerk at the convenience store at 2992 Highway 155 told deputies that she was outside checking a trash can when she was approached by two males, one of whom sprayed the chemical in her face and knocked her to the ground. They then took her back inside the store and ordered her to open the cash drawer. Before they left, one of the men sprayed her again as she stood behind the register.

They took a rack of cigarette lighters before fleeing, damaging the front door in their flight. One of the men was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, and the other was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and carrying a machete.

The other robbery occurred on Jan. 4 at a convenience store at 4624 Georgia Highway 138 south. The clerk told deputies that two masked white males came into the store, one of whom approached her at the counter and sprayed her in the face with pepper spray, then took the money in the register before fleeing.

One of the men was wearing a green camouflage jacket and a ski mask; the other was wearing a dark blue hooded jacket, black hat, and white bandana. He was carrying a long object, possibly a machete.

The suspects are believed to be driving a grey truck. If you have information regarding either of these incidents or the identity of the suspects, please contact the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office crime tip line at 770-278-8188, or contact CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS (404-577-8477). The Sheriff's Office is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.