Former Employee Arrested After Robbing Southwest Florida Gas Station

Collier County, FL - A former Southwest Florida gas station employee is facing armed robbery charges after robbing her former place of employment on Tuesday.

An investigation by the Collier County Sheriff's Office resulted in the arrest of 48-year-old Martha Contino in connection with the armed robbery of a Shell gas station located at 7392 Radio Road in Naples.

According to deputies, employees reported that a woman wearing a black ski mask entered the store brandishing a gun just after 6 a.m.

The suspect proceeded to steal cash from the register before fleeing the scene on foot.

Investigators say the gas station's employees believed Contino was the suspect behind the robbery, due to the suspect's stature resembling that of Contino's.

Security footage from the gas station captured the suspect running across Santa Barbara Boulevard towards an apartment complex on Santa Clara Drive.

Deputies then discovered that Contino resided in the apartment complex and questioned her at her residence.

Contino resisted arrest and a search warrant was obtained for the apartment, where deputies located black clothing matching the suspect's attire.

During the booking process at Collier County Jail, a black ski mask, narcotics, and a significant amount of cash were found hidden in Contino's clothing.

She's been charged with armed robbery with a firearm and grand theft.