Gardner police investigate armed robbery of Subway restaurant

Officials continued to investigate an armed robbery at a Subway in Gardner.

According to the Gardner Police Department, two African-American males entered the sandwich shop at 30 Pearson Blvd. at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

The two men, who were described as wearing black clothing and face coverings, displayed a handgun and took approximately $400 in cash from the register and employees on scene.

There were four employees in the shop at the time of the robbery, according to manager Bharatkumar P. Patel. He said the men entered the store and went around the counter, told everyone to put their hands in the air, and demanded money.

Surveillance footage of one of the suspects who robbed the Subway on Pearson Blvd. in Gardner at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Give me money. Give me money,” one of the suspects was described as saying during the incident.

Patel said one of men shoved him against the wall and hit him over the head before forcing him to open the register. After removing cash from the register, the men took two wallets and a purse belonging to the employees, he said.

The employees were forced to stand in a group behind the counter with their hands in the air during the incident.

Police were examing footage of the incident taken from several surveillance cameras in the shop, according to employees.

A customer who entered the store just after the incident called police, Patel said.

Surveillance footage of one of the suspects who robbed the Subway on Pearson Blvd. in Gardner at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Patel said he went to the hospital after the incident and was released after being examined.

Following the robbery, the two suspects entered a late model black Nissan Versa with unknown plates and fled the area.

Chief of Police Eric McAvene said police were asking residents to remain vigilant.

“If they see something suspicious, report it to police immediately,” McAvene said. “Do not attempt to intervene as these subjects appear to be armed and dangerous.”

McAvene said that while armed robberies in the city were not extremely common, they did occur from time to time.

“They usually occur with little or no warning and are not predictable,” he explained. “We’re thankful the injuries (in this incident) were not worse.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Gardner Police Department.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner Police investigate armed robbery of Subway on Pearson Blvd