ANDERSON — Police are investigating the strong-armed robbery of a Columbus Avenue tobacco retailer Monday night.

Sgt. William Casey, Anderson Police Department spokesman, said a man in his mid-20s entered Discount Tobacco, 2625 Columbus, at about 9 p.m. The man asked for change, but the female clerk told him he had to make a purchase. The man acted as though he was going to buy a 10-cent piece of candy, and when the clerk opened the cash register, the man reached in and took an undisclosed amount of money.

The man pushed the clerk away, knocking her to the ground, but she was not injured. No weapon was displayed during the robbery.

The man then ran southwest from the store in the direction of Washington Boulevard Apartments, Casey said. Police set up a perimeter around the business along nearby streets, but no arrests were made as of late Monday.

The man is described as being black, about 5-feet-9, and weighing 245 pounds. He was wearing black pants and a black ball cap. He had on a yellow shirt during the robbery, but took it off and threw it away shortly after fleeing the business.

Anyone with information about the Monday night robbery of Discount Tobacco should contact Anderson police at (765) 648-6730 or (765) 648-6700.

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Anyone with information about the Monday night robbery of Discount Tobacco, 2625 Columbus Ave., should contact Anderson police at (765) 648-6730 or (765) 648-6700.