Armed robbery of dollar store gives Franklin ‘a scary feeling’

FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) — Franklin police are asking for help to track down a brazen thief who investigators say robbed a Dollar General store.

Police said they believe the man could be connected to a rash of other robberies in the area.

Franklin police Detective Raymond Tice shared surveillance video of the armed robbery with News 8.

He said the video shows a white male in his 30s inside the Dollar General store at 1882 Northwood Plaza, just off U.S. 31 in Franklin.

“He went into the store and is actually shopping for maybe a half an hour or so,” Tice said Wednesday.

Police said it happened just after 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The man walked in the store, perused the aisles and even spoke with store employees multiple times. Later, police said, the man walked to the cash register, pulled out a knife and threatened the cashier. 

“You need to be aware of it just because of the brazenness of the robbery itself. If he has a knife on him, you don’t know what he’s capable of,” the detective said.

The man ran off with an undisclosed amount of money and other items.

“They’re understandably shaken up by the whole encounter, and you hate to see anyone go through something like this,” Tice said.

Word of the armed robbery spread quickly through Franklin.

“Couldn’t believe it, because it’s not regular around here,” said Franklin resident Anita Akers.

“It’s a scary feeling. Very scary,” said Franklin resident Garry Maxwell.  

While investigators said luckily no one was hurt in this robbery, they believe this may not be his only target.

“We’re aware of similar reports throughout the area right now and we’re investigating into possible connections,” Tice said. 

Anyone with information was asked to call Franklin police at the department’s tip line, (317) 346-1100.