According to police, the clerk told them a man entered the store around 4:30 p.m., displayed a hand gun and left the scene on foot. Deputies searched the area, but were not able to locate the suspect.
Shortly before 8 a.m. police received another call from the convenience store. When officers arrived, they found the suspect pointing a gun at the clerk. The suspect then exited the store with the clerk at gunpoint.
Police were able to disarm and apprehend the suspect without incident.
Authorities say through their investigation detectives have learned the suspect refused to accept money during the hold-up and that the suspect's motive for the incident was a ploy in order to be deported to Mexico.
Police have identified the suspect as 37-year-old Jose Luis Medina-Ruiz.
Medina-Ruiz is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of 2nd degree kidnapping and two counts of hoax by false bomb or other device. He remains in the New Hanover County Detention Facility under a $135,000 secured bond.
