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A Warsaw grocery store was the victim of an armed robbery Sunday for the second time in less than a month.
Two employees, including one who was present during last month's burglary at Kroger, Center Street, Warsaw, were held at gunpoint Sunday by two armed robbers just prior to 11:38 p.m.
Judy Hall and Mary Eileen Smith, both of Warsaw, were tending cash registers when the two subjects entered the store displaying weapons. The gunmen demanded the cashiers lie down on the floor.
One subject then went to the office and removed an undisclosed amount of cash, police reported. Hall and Smith told police the robbers left the store on foot in an unknown direction.
Police report the robbery is similar to another at the store almost a month ago, but can't say if there is a connection. On April 12, a lone gunman held Hall and Carol Edwards, Warsaw, at gunpoint while forcing one to place money in a plastic bag. The robber then fled the scene on foot.
"At this time, no conclusion can be drawn if they are connected," said WPD Det. Steve Adang.
Adang acknowledged that the timing of the two burglaries, a weekend night around 11 p.m., is similar. Victims told police one of the robbers was carrying what appeared to be an automatic weapon.
The suspect in the April robbery was reportedly carrying a semi-automatic weapon.
"We don't think it is the same suspects," said WPD Captain Steve Foster. "But that doesn't mean the two aren't connected."
The robbers in Sunday's burglary were described as either white or Hispanic, thin to medium build, 5-foot-4 to 5-6 tall. Police are still investigating last month's robbery by the man described as 5-10, 140 pounds, wearing a green ski mask and carrying a semiautomatic weapon.
Anyone with information concerning either robbery should call the WPD at 372-9511.
