Foley police are asking for the public’s help identifying a masked man who robbed a recently opened Dollar General store at gunpoint over the weekend.
The robbery happened around 9:40 p.m. Saturday at the store located at 1704 S. McKenzie St., along Alabama 59 across from the Coleman store, according to police. A man wearing a black ski mask walked in carrying a gun and ordered an employee to open the store’s safe.
Once the safe was open, the suspect grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene on foot. No one was hurt during the robbery, police said.
Surveillance video captured a still image of the suspect, who is described as a white male standing around 6 feet tall. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, light-colored pants and gloves in addition to the ski mask. Foley police released the image publicly in hopes that someone would recognize him.
Anyone with information about the robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Foley Police Department at 251-943-4431.
The newly built Dollar General on Alabama 59 is one of several locations the discount retailer operates in the Foley area, and it isn’t the first to be targeted by armed robbers. Other Dollar General stores in Foley were hit late last year and again earlier in 2014, with each robbery occurring shortly before closing time. One of those earlier targets, a store on Riviera Boulevard behind the Sonic restaurant, had been robbed multiple times over the years before it closed when the chain relocated to its newer, more visible spot on Alabama 59.
The pattern of repeat robberies at discount retail stores has been a recurring concern for law enforcement along the Baldwin County corridor, where late-night convenience and discount stores are frequently targeted due to cash on hand and limited staffing during closing hours. Foley police have not said whether they believe Saturday’s robbery is connected to the earlier incidents at other Dollar General locations in the city.
Residents and business owners in the area are encouraged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity near retail stores, particularly during evening and closing hours. Foley police continue to investigate the robbery and are reviewing surveillance footage from the scene as they work to identify and locate the suspect.