Police in New Hampshire are searching for a man caught on surveillance holding up a toll booth attendant at knifepoint at the Hooksett Toll plaza on Interstate 93 Monday morning.
According to New Hampshire State Police, the suspect had been traveling on the northbound side of the highway and got off at exit 11 at about 1 a.m. Surveillance video shows him emerging from a silver sedan wearing a black ski mask and demanding money from the toll attendant.
"The suspect had exited his vehicle and was essentially entering the toll booth with a knife in his hand," said New Hampshire State Police Trooper Matt Field.
Police said the man demanded cash from the attendant who had just started his shift. With most motorists using EZ-Pass, authorities said the attendant on duty likely had no more than 75 cents in his drawer.
"The exact amount of change is unclear but it appears to be a quite small amount, under a dollar of likely quarters," Field said.
The toll attendant was not harmed during the incident.
Motorists NBC10 Boston spoke to could not believe a person would risk so much for so little.
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"It's a strange thing to do I must say," said Rhode Island resident Mike Rosen, who was driving through Hooksett Wednesday afternoon.
Others say for some, desperate times call for desperate measures and now anyone could get caught in the middle.
"We live in a different world now, everyone has to be on guard and it's kind of sad," said Vermont resident Chris Marineau.
If police catch the suspect, he'll be charged with felony armed robbery.
The suspect is described by the New Hampshire State Police as having blue eyes and is between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall. He was last seen wearing a blue ski mask, black coat, and jeans.
Anyone who recognizes the driver or silver sedan is urged to contact New Hampshire State Police at 603-223-3792.
