COLUMBIA -- Deputies are searching for a woman they believe tried to rob a mid Missouri gas station.

It happened just before 11:30 Friday night at the Kwik BP gas station located on St. Charles Rd.

Boone County Sheriff’s deputies said an employee was confronted inside the store by a woman armed with a black handgun.

The woman demanded money, but fled the store on foot before she was given any money or merchandise.

Deputies arrived at the store within a few minutes and attempted to track the suspect using a K-9 but weren’t able to find the woman.

The woman was described as a black female of medium height, with a thin build.

She was wearing a dark colored hooded jacket, dark gloves, and a light colored headband over a portion of her face and was armed with a black semiautomatic handgun.