Rosary-Bead Robber Rips Off Cellphone Store

TUCKER, GA — Somebody's going to need to say some Hail Marys after this.

An armed robber wearing rosary beads pulled a gun on the clerk at a Gwinnett County cellphone store on Monday. The robbery happened shortly after 2 p.m. at the Metro PCS store at 6330 Lawrenceville Hwy. near Tucker.

According to Gwinnett County Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera, the robber came into the store and told the clerk he needed to pay the balance on his account. But, then, he pulled a handgun from his waistband, pointed it at the clerk and demanded all the money in the cash register.

The clerk removed the register's money drawer and placed it on the counter. The robber then threatened to shoot the employee if he "did anything crazy," Pihera said. After getting the cash, the robber threw the store's phone on the floor and left the building.

He was last seen headed toward Jimmy Carter Boulevard.

Police describe the robber as a black male, standing about 5'7" and wearing a white short-sleeve shirt, dark-colored jogging pants, rosary beads and a New England Patriots baseball cap. He also has facial hair, police said.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Gwinnett Police detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit the Crime Stoppers website. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department