Gunman robs Family Dollar, fires shot on way out

A gunman who stole cash and merchandise from a Family Dollar store on Tuesday night also fired his weapon into the air as he left the business, probably to discourage workers inside from seeing his getaway car, a police sergeant said.

The robber came into the store, 3222 Salem Ave., just before 9 p.m. and stole a large amount of cigarettes and cash, Dayton Sgt. Mark Spiers said.

According to a police incident report, the robber entered the store and asked to buy a large amount of cigarettes. The request prompted the employee waiting on the man to page the assistant manager, who informed the man that store policy prevented them from selling more than 30 packs at a time.

The man put the packs in a bag, then walked around behind the counter and pointed a revolver at the employees, according to the incident report.

One employee opened both registers and allowed the robber to take about $250 in cash.

The man reportedly left saying, "Happy Holidays." He turned and fired a shot into the air when one of the employees looked outside to see which way he was running.

Police believe the robber left in an older model green Mustang.

He is described in the police report as black, about 30 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 170 pounds. He has a large mole or birthmark on the left side of his nose.

At the time of the robbery he was wearing a gray winter hat, black winter coat, dark jeans, gloves and a black mask covering the lower half of his face.

Police set up a perimeter in the area of Hillcrest and Piccadilly avenues as they searched for the robber or the getaway car, but turned up nothing.