Raleigh grocery store robbed; employees detained

According to police, two masked men, armed with handguns, broke into the store around 1:30 a.m. and detained two on-duty employees. After learning that neither of the employees could access cash, the suspects held the employees until the day-shift employees arrived for work. 

When two additional employees arrived at around 6 a.m., the suspects robbed the store. The store employees were not injured, police said. 

Sara Bell and her boyfriend were making a stop at the store to grab some breakfast when they stumbled on the active scene. 

"We had no idea what was going on," Bell said. "It looked like the lights were on inside, but we could not see if anyone was inside or what had happened."

Sam Botros owns a pizza restaurant near the Lowes and said he is on high alert after the robbery. 

"Hopefully nothing like this will happen again," he said. 

According to police, one suspect was described as a standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 160-170 pounds. The suspect was described as having a thin, but muscular frame and was last seen wearing a baseball cap. Detailed information was not immediately available concerning the second suspect. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

Anyone with information that might assist with the investigation should call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at 919-834-4357. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve cases.