ALBANY, GA (WALB) -
The search continues Friday for a gunman who fired shots while robbing a south Albany restaurant Thursday night.
Law enforcers say fast food and convenience store workers tell them they're frightened recent violent armed robberies.
More workers are arming themselves but police are also stressing ways to prevent robberies.
Law enforcement experts say recent robberies in Albany show that criminals are desperate for money, and more willing to use violence to get it.
Now business owners and employees at risk are taking steps to protect themselves.
Pistols like these are hot sellers at Backwoods Outdoors and more store and restaurant employees are buying them to carry on the job.
"They are tired of getting robbed, and they are starting to arm themselves. I've even seen certain stores that their policy had been no guns on the premises, but they have changed them now to where they can start carrying guns," said Backwoods Outdoors Owner Jackie Sizemore.
A man burst into the Subway on South Slappey Thursday night about 9:30, and fired three shots before taking the money and running.
More convenience store and fast food restaurant armed robberies recently have been violent, and law enforcement experts say businesses need to train their employees to keep from being easy targets.
"Be on the lookout for suspicious persons in the area. Be on the lookout for suspicious cars. Anything that seems out of place, be careful. Go ahead and call the police and let them come check things out," said Albany Technical College Law Enforcement Technology Chair Kenn Singleton.
The District Attorney says business owners and employees have the right to protect themselves when faced with deadly force, but he says it's better to have more employees, a lighted store and parking lot, and notice of surveillance cameras inside and out.
"Do more about protecting their property with surveillance cameras. Protecting their grounds outside, not just inside, would certainly be an additional deterrent to crime," said Dougherty District Attorney Greg Edwards.
Sizemore says his customers, including many business owners, are worried they could be the next robbery victim.
"I'm selling more guns for protection that I'm selling guns for hunting. And that's the truth," said Sizemore.
Singleton urged the community to join with police fighting crime by joining neighborhood watch groups and giving information about crimes.
Singleton, a retired cop himself, said the community has to work together to fight crime. He said many people know about crimes, but don't want to be a snitch.
He says South Georgians need to change that way of thinking, and instead think of protecting their neighbors.
The gunman in last night's robbery was described as black, 5'11 and 185 pounds wearing jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, boots and a shirt over his face.
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