At 7:15 Tuesday morning, deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported strong arm robbery at Cloutier’s Market, located on Route 100 in New Gloucester.

According to Capt. Jeff Davis, a store employee was in the process of leaving the store to make a deposit at a local bank when she was robbed. The employee was walking near the rear of the store when a male approached from behind and forced the employee to the ground ordering her to give him the money. No weapon was displayed. The employee handed over the deposit and the suspect fled on foot heading west.

A Cumberland County Sheriff’s K-9 unit responded to the scene and conducted a search of the immediate area, having no success in locating the suspect. A nearby day care center was placed in “lock down” as a precaution only, with Capt. Davis saying there was never any direct threat toward the business.

After police obtained video footage of the rear of the store, the footage reveals the male suspect was lying in wait near a Dumpster. The suspect is described as being a white male, between 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 170 to 190 pounds. The suspect was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt with a white-colored T-shirt underneath. The suspect had dark pants and sneakers.

At this time the exact amount of money taken in the robbery is not being released. Sheriff’s detectives are currently following up on the incident and are seeking the public’s help. Please forward any information or leads to Detective John Fournier at 774-1444, ext. 2173.