A man who brandished a knife while robbing the Tom Thumb Store on North Highway 85 in Laurel Hill is now in the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview on charges of armed robbery and petty theft.

42-year old Robert Joseph Smith of Laurel Hill was tracked Monday night from the scene of the crime to an area adjacent to a family member's home by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy Jim Duval and K-9 "Tyson".

A clerk at the store on North State Road 85 says an intoxicated man with a black ski mask covering his face came into the store around 11:15 p.m. November 30th, demanded money, and fled the store on foot with the cash.

K-9 "Tyson" was able to follow the individual's track to Second Avenue, where he and Deputy Duval located Smith. Witnesses were then able to identify Smith as the armed robber based on his voice, demeanor, mannerisms, and clothing.