Police respond to armed robbery at Mount Vernon Road store

UPDATE: Cedar Rapids police are investigating a pair of recent armed robberies at the same store on Mount Vernon Road SE, including one late Wednesday morning.

Officers were called to the Family Dollar store at 2325 Mount Vernon Rd. SE at around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. According to police, three men, all wearing dark hoodies and masks, entered the store. Two of the men displayed handguns, and left heading south with an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes.

On Sunday, police responded to a robbery at the same store.  During that robbery, a white man and a black man, both wearing dark blue hoodies, black jeans and black shoes, entered the store at around 11:37 a.m. and demanded cash. One of the men displayed a handgun, and both had their faces covered, police said. The men left the store heading south. Both men were described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds.

Police said they're investigating whether the robberies were committed by the same individuals. Anyone with information on either crime is asked to contact Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463) or text to CRIMES (274637) and in the message/subject, type 5227 and your tip. Anyone with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward. All calls are anonymous.