Masked men rob Food Lion at gunpoint, pistol whip manager

MONROE, N.C. — Monroe police are looking for two men they said pistol whipped a grocery store manager and robbed the store's safe.

Police said the suspects attacked the assistant store manager from behind as he was unlocking the doors at the Food Lion on Sunset Drive early Sunday morning.

Investigators said the men then forced the manager to the service desk; pistol whipped him and emptied the safe.

"They were both dressed in all black and they both had on ski masks, so their facial features could not be identified," said Lt. Joe Plyler.

Detectives said one of the suspects was wearing sneakers with a distinctive design, and they are now releasing a surveillance picture in hopes someone will recognize the man's shoes.

The assistant manager was treated at CMC Union after police said the suspects rendered him unconscious during the assault.

"That's terrible...that's a terrible thing, " said customer Dennis McIlwain.

Other customers were frigthened by the violence at their regular shopping destination.

"It's scary, I was like, you don't never get nothing like that around here," said Rebecca Couick.

Anyone with information should call Det. Morgan Malone at 704-282-4712 or Crimestoppers at 704-283-5600.

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WSOC