By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

No one was hurt Sunday morning during an armed robbery at Wendy's restaurant at the same time many local residents peacefully made their way to church.

No weapon was spotted during the entire incident by witnesses, but the suspect told witnesses he was armed with a gun, according to police.

The suspect entered the restaurant at approximately 10:35 a.m. and asked to see the manager, said Fayetteville Police spokesman Lt. Tom Kirkbride. When the manager arrived, the suspect claimed he had a gun and ordered the manager to retrieve money from the store's safe, the lieutenant added.

The suspect also “acted” like he had a gun, Kirkbride said. The store had not opened for business, so no customers were inside when the robbery took place, he added.

The suspect got away on foot with an unknown amount of cash, but the robbery may be connected with two similar incidents in Clayton County, Kirkbride said.

Witnesses were not sure which door the suspect entered, but there was no evidence of a break-in, Kirkbride said.

The restaurant, which had not opened for business at the time of the robbery, remained closed until after noon so police could process the crime scene.

The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing about 180 pounds and in his mid-30s, the lieutenant said. The suspect wore a black shirt, black shorts, a black ballcap and an orange fanny pack.

The case is still under investigation, Kirkbride added. If you have any information about this crime, phone the Fayetteville Police Department's criminal investigations division at 770-461-4441.