PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland police are trying to track down a man who robbed an Astro gas station Sunday afternoon in north Portland.

Prior the robbery at the intersection of North Interstate Avenue and Lombard Street, the man caught the attention of employees. They said he appeared to be scoping out the parking lot.

"It was like he was standing around watching because he waited until there was a whole bunch of people," said Brandy Nelson, who works at the gas station. "Steven walked in the dog house and he came in behind him."

Wearing a stalking over his head, the man claimed to have a weapon and demanded cash from the till.

"He was a huge guy because the cameras only got from (neck) down. He walked in with some stalking on and a hoodie," Nelson said. "Steven said it looked like it was his finger in his jacket, but he said he wasn't going to take the chance."

The robber escaped with less than $150 in cash as he casually walked away after the heist. Nelson said it's the first time she's experienced a robbery in the one year she has worked at the gas station.

She said robberies have been a trend in the neighborhood.

"Shell across the street got robbed (and) the Arco down the way. There was a whole bunch of robberies a few months ago (but) they never came here," Nelson said. "It was just really weird."

Police would not release a description of the robber, but employees described the robber as a black man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call the Portland Police Bureau.

Gas Station Robber Sought In North Portland