PARKERSBURG - City police are on the lookout for a man who robbed a Staunton Avenue business Tuesday morning.
The robbery occurred around 8:44 a.m. at Gary's Always Hot at 1416 Staunton Ave.
Parkersburg Police Sgt. Greg Collins said a female employee stated a white male entered the business advising, and acting, as if he had a gun.
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Photo by Jody Murphy
Parkersburg police officers assess the scene after responding to an alleged armed robbery Tuesday morning on Staunton Avenue.
"The suspect allegedly threatened harm to the employee as he collected money from her. The suspect allegedly told the woman to go into the bathroom and lay face down on the floor, again threatening harm to her if she did not comply," Collins said.
The suspect fled the business with an amount of currency that will not be disclosed at this time, he said.
"We know he went out the front door," Collins said. "He put her in the bathroom and told her not to come out."
More than a half-dozen city police cars were on-scene within minutes, and several Wood County sheriff's vehicles were patrolling the area. The business is between a Kompak store and a soon-to-be-open restaurant. Another restaurant is across the street.
Collins said uniformed officers and numerous detectives canvassed a large area surrounding the store in an attempt to locate witnesses or evidence. One person was detained, but was identified and released following an interview.
Collins said the employee was been very cooperative with law enforcement.
Police are looking for a white male, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall, approximately 40 to 45 years old, wearing dark clothes. Emergency dispatchers described the man as wearing a green winter jacket and sunglasses.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.
"Interviews are on-going," Collins said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D.A. Moody or any member of the Parkersburg Police Department at 304-424-8444. Anonymous tips can be left at www.parkersburgpolice.com.
