‘Always Robbing That One’: Florida Woman Is Stopped From Entering Circle K Because Of An Active Robbery. But That Doesn’t Stop Her From Getting Gas

There’s Florida Man, Florida Woman, and now Florida Gas Station.

Florida has a way of producing stories that would sound made up almost anywhere else.

This time around what a woman thought would be a routine gas stop turned into something else entirely. Anywhere else people probably would have steered clear of the gas station for a while, but she just went on about her business. How do you think you’d react?

In a trending video with more than 11,000 views, content creator Ayla (@aylacore420) recorded herself standing beside a gas pump at a Circle K in Florida.

At first glance, the scene seems normal, nothing out of the usual. Ayla is outside pumping gas, and three cars are parked near the convenience store. But when she turns the camera toward the building, she explains why she is staying outside.

“I was about to go in, but they said there was a robbery, so I can’t go in,” Ayla says.

Who told her about the apparent robbery is unclear.

While Ayla couldn’t walk into the convenience store to say, get a bag of chips or a can of soda, the pumps remained available to customers outside.

“But I’m still getting gas,” she says.

“Only in Florida,” she added in the caption.

Why Are Gas Stations Common Robbery Targets?

Convenience stores and gas stations are built to get customers in and out quickly. Unfortunately, that setup can also work in a robber’s favor, C-Store Dive reported.
In 2021, gas stations and convenience stores accounted for a combined 37,561 violent offenses reported to the FBI. That represented more than 5% of all violent crimes reported in the U.S. that year. From 2011 through 2021, the two types of businesses logged more than 202,000 violent offenses.

There are a few reasons for that. Convenience stores tend to be small and lightly staffed, making them easy to enter and leave quickly. They also often stay open late, handle cash and sit beside major roads that can provide a fast escape. Large parking lots and a constant flow of customers can also make suspicious activity less conspicuous.

Shoplifting and armed robbery are among the most common crimes convenience stores face. Better exterior lighting, unobstructed windows, visible cameras, and signs advertising drop safes can make a store less appealing to criminals. Circle K has said it uses cameras across its properties to monitor theft, property damage, and credit card fraud at its pumps.

Here are a few other businesses that are common targets for robberies according to Galaxy Protection:

• Supermarkets: They’re large, which can make them hard to monitor, and have a lot of merchandise and cash changing hands.
• Liquor stores: Usually have few workers and use cash registers. The alcohol itself is also a frequent target
• Jewelry stores: Small, high-value products that can be resold

What Should You Do During A Robbery?

If you’re being robbed, here’s what you should do according to the University of Southern California Department of Public Safety:

• Remain calm and do not resist. Cooperate and avoid any sudden or unexpected movements.
• Follow the robber’s directions. Do not argue or volunteer more than the person requests. If you need to move or reach into a pocket, explain what you are about to do first.
• Remember identifying details. Take mental notes about the robber’s appearance, clothing, distinctive features, weapons, and vehicle.
• Get somewhere safe before reporting the crime. Call 911 once you are secure. If you remain at the scene, avoid touching possible evidence and ask other witnesses to wait for police if they can safely do so.

‘I Avoid That Circle K’

Viewers were familiar with the particular Circle K Ayla was at.

“That’s why i avoid that circle k. the one on orange and monroe is safer than that one,” a top comment read.

“My husband saw someone get stabbed there a few years ago,” a person said.

“Yea Parkway Circle K always got some going on it never fails,” another wrote.

BroBible reached out to Ayla via TikTok direct message and comment and to Circle K via email We’ll be sure to update this if either responds.