On Thursday, Jan. 19 shortly before 2 a.m., a call to the Luverne Police Department was received from the Tom Thumb on South Forest Ave. in Luverne in regards to a possible robbery in progress.

“Officers responded and found there in fact had been an armed robbery. One black male subject entered the store, brandished what appeared to be a small automatic handgun, went behind the register and took several cartons of Newport cigarettes and some Black and Mild cigars,” said Luverne Police Department Investigator Mason Adcock.

“He did not make an attempt for the registers. He exited the store and left the area on foot.”

Officers were first able to locate a hat that was observed during a review of the surveillance video.

From that point, a tracking canine from Covington County was brought in. The areas west and southwest of the Tom Thumb were checked, but the track was lost on Rutledge Street.

“Along the way, several items were discovered that belonged to the suspect, which include a small BB gun, clothing that was worn by the suspect, all the cigarettes and all of the Black and Milds that were taken,” Adcock said.

“The Luverne Police Department recovered those items. Some have been sent to the lab for processing. Right now, we don’t have any suspects or any further leads at this time.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Luverne Police Department at (334) 335-3335.