A masked man with a gun robbed the Budget Inn Express in Grand Forks Thursday afternoon, police said.
Sgt. Kevin Kallinen said the robber came into the lobby of the motel at 3400 Gateway Drive, displayed a black handgun and demanded cash from the front desk clerk.
"The clerk handed him the money, and the guy took off out the door," Kallinen said.
The clerk, Ricky Stephens, said the robber rang a bell to enter through a back door and left using the same door. No other motel employees or guests witnessed the robbery, Kallinen said. Stephens said he's not sure how much money was taken.
Kallinen said Stephens did not see which direction the robber fled. The holdup was reported at 4:12 p.m., and officers converged on the area to search for a suspect.
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"We had lots of people respond to it, but we didn't find anybody that we suspected," Kallinen said.
The robber was described as a white man of average weight and height. He wore a black ski mask and a maroon, long-sleeve, button-down shirt with a collar, Stephens said.
Police urge anyone with information on the robbery to call the department at (701) 787-8000.
Ingersoll reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com .
