Officers Spratlin and Stripling responded to a call by the owner at approximately 3:30 a.m. and arriving at the station within a minute due to the Shell store’s close proximity to the police department across Carlton Road, said Det. John Cooper.

Officers observed the store’s back door open as they arrived. As they approached the location two men with masks ran out of the building and into the woods, Cooper said. Officers gave chase and issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for the subjects, though they were unable to located them, said Cooper. At the same time, a third subject who was still in the store ranout the front door that had been opened by the owner after he called police, Cooper said.

Cooper said nothing was missing at the convenience store, though officers found evidence where store merchandise had been gathered in one area.