Akron police released surveillance video after two men robbed a Mr. Hero restaurant on West Market Street Tuesday night.
The video shows the crooks entering the restaurant around 9:15 p.m. Four employees were in the store at the time, but no customers were there.
Both of the thieves wore dark clothing. One of them pointed a long revolver at an employee and demanded money. The gunman had his hood up, but his face can clearly be seen.
The second man concealed his face and then grabbed money from a cash register tray that was handed over by a worker.
The men committed the holdup in a matter of seconds and disappeared into the night.
One of the workers, Ray Thomas, said he wasn't scared, because he has a few years of Army training as a weapons specialist. Still, he felt like the man holding the gun had "a desperate look in his eye."
"I was just praying and hoping that thing wasn't loaded and he wasn't gonna hurt anybody," Thomas said.
Lt. Rick Edwards said the department is not investigating any recent similar holdups. He stressed that things can quickly turn violent during armed robberies.
"There's always that opportunity where maybe an employee thinks they have just a split-second decision to grab onto the gun or try to fight with somebody, or the person fires the shot, hand on the trigger, finger on the trigger, not paying attention," Edwards said.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects is urged to call the Akron Police Department.
