Police continue search for armed robbers

ALBANY — The Albany Police Department is searching for two suspects in the armed robbery of the Neighborhood Grocery store, located at 1801 West Gordon Ave.

Officers responded in emergency mode to an armed robbery call around 11:57 p.m. on Friday night, according to officials.

Upon arrival, contact was made with Kishif Butt, who told responding officers that he had been robbed. Butt said that two unknown black males wearing masks entered the store and pointed their guns at him.

According to Butt, the first suspect climbed over the counter and held him at gunpoint in a chair. Butt stated that the second suspect remained at the counter close to the door, pointed his gun at him and told him not to move.

The first suspect kicked the door and shot the doorknob three times to gain entry into the room where money at the store is kept, reports indicate.

Butt advised officers that he did not know the amount of money taken from the room.

According to reports, officers also made contact with Earl Stewart, who said he arrived just after everything had happened and that he did not see anything.

Officers secured the scene and found a 40 caliber shell casing on the counter.

The first suspect was wearing a dark, long-sleeved shirt, red pants, dark shoes with a dark-colored T-shirt wrapped around his face as a mask. The second suspect was wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt, jeans, white shoes and a grayish T-shirt wrapped around his face as a mask.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Department at (229) 431-2100 or Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS (8477).