Baldwin — The Subway sandwich shop here is locking up an hour earlier each night. Two employees are closing the store instead of one.
The changes are extra precautions spurred by concern an armed robber who has struck Baldwin businesses twice in the past week might try again.
"It's weird because we're in such a small town," said Jenny Lawyer, who works at Subway, 711 E. Eighth St. "Normally, of course, you wouldn't think it would happen here."
Baldwin Police haven't identified any suspects in the two robberies, which they believe, based on similarities in witness descriptions, likely were committed by the same man. In both cases, he pointed what has been described as a nickel-plated, semi-automatic handgun at the victims and demanded cash, Sgt. Colleen Larson said.
The latest robbery occurred about 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pizza Hut at 130 Ames St. Just before the store closed, a young black man with a bandana concealing his face walked in, pointed a gun at a young man behind the register and demanded money, Larson said. The employee gave the suspect the contents of the cash drawer an unknown amount. The suspect then left on foot.
Two other employees hid in the back of the restaurant during the robbery. No one was injured.
The description of the suspect in the Pizza Hut robbery young black male, slender build, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, dressed in dark clothing and brandishing a handgun is nearly identical to that of a man who police said got away last Friday with about $400 from a downtown video store.
Just before 10 p.m. on April 27, the 28-year-old male owner of J's Video, 814 High St., was preparing to close the store and lock the doors when a black male with a women's stocking pulled over his head walked in, pointed a gun at the owner and demanded money, Larson said.
Baldwin Police continue to investigate and have made no arrests in the cases, Larson said.
Larson said the department was considering holding a town meeting to address concerns.
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 843-TIPS or Baldwin Police at (785) 594-3850.
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