Cedar Rapids liquor store robbed in broad daylight

UPDATE: Two young men robbed a Cedar Rapids liquor store in broad daylight Thursday, police said.

Around 12:30 p.m. officers rushed to Discount Liquor, 2933 First Ave. SE, when the owner reported the incident. Police and a K-9 unit dog canvassed the area, but the suspects were not immediately located.

Police confirm a handgun was displayed, but no one was injured in the incident.

The owner's nephew, Simran Singh, 17, of Cedar Rapids, said he answered a call from his uncle shortly after the incident. The owner asked Singh and his father to come to the store immediately, and told them about the robbery.

"He was crying," Singh said.

Singh said his uncle told him one of the suspects went into a bathroom and came out with the handgun. The suspects got away with more than $300 in cash, four packs of Newport cigarettes and one container of Kodiak chewing tobacco, Singh said.

John Brokel, 26, of Bertram, said he saw two young men, possibly juveniles, running east through an alley as he arrived for work at nearby In Tolerance Contract Manufacturing. Both were carrying small boxes with the hoods of their sweat shirts pulled up and ball caps pulled down.

"They looked over at me and went faster," Brokel said.

Both males were black with a thin build, and were wearing red and black hooded sweat shirts and jeans, Brokel said. One had a red ball cap on.

Police are continuing to investigate.

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