On June 26, at approximately 10:25 a.m. the Farmville Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Advance America, located at 1818 Perry Drive.

“A male suspect entered the business, jumped the counter and brandished a handgun at the employees while forcing them to the ground,” a Farmville Police Department media release detailed. “The suspect then took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash registers, fled the scene on foot and was last seen near Wendy’s [located on South Main Street]. Officers established a perimeter, searched the area and checked local businesses but were unable to locate the suspect.”

According to the release, a K-9 from the Virginia State Police (VSP) was called to attempt to search the local wooded areas and develop a possible escape route. The suspect was known to be armed, stated the release, so the K-9 was escorted by two members of the VSP tactical response team as a precaution. The K-9 indicated that the suspect may have fled north on Main Street, but that is yet unconfirmed, the release stated.

Farmville Police report that there were no known injuries to store employees and police are actively reviewing video and speaking with witnesses.

According to police the suspect was described as wearing a mask, gloves, a grey-hooded sweatshirt and light-colored jeans. He is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a slender build, notes the release.

The Farmville Police Department was assisted by the Longwood University Police Department, VSP and the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Farmville Police Department at 434-392-9259.

This is a revised version of the original story, clarified on Friday, June 26.