Police are investigating the armed robbery of a tobacco store Friday afternoon in Elmwood Park.
Elmwood Park police received a report at 2:54 p.m. May 1 of the robbery at Tobacco Express, 7817 Belmont Ave. According to police, a man entered the store, showed a weapon and made off with about $300.
The offender fled in a silver car north across Belmont Avenue into Chicago and then headed west. Elmwood Park Deputy Chief Andrew Hock, who was at the scene of the crime for a period of time, said it appears the robbery was a one-man job.
Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano said no one was injured during the incident. He said the robbery was witnessed by an off-duty Elmwood Park police officer that lives in the area.
There were two customers in the tobacco shop at the time of robbery, according to Hock.
Fagiano said they believe the gun used in the robbery was a fake and the crime was captured on video surveillance cameras inside the business. He said his detectives are in the process of reviewing the tape for clues.
“Our guys have got to do a lot of work right now,” he said. “We’re continuing our investigation on leads as they develop.”
But he’s optimistic that what they have so far may lead to an arrest.
“With the help of the witnesses, we developed some really good leads to follow up on,” he said.
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Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to contact Elmwood Park Police Department at 708-453-2137.