Robber takes $1,000 at gunpoint

Amherst police are investigating a robbery that took place on Friday evening at the Famous Footwear at 1561 Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Capt. Timothy Green said a black man, 25-30 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 165 pounds, approached the clerk at 7:45 p.m. and asked for shoe polish.

When the clerk opened the register, the suspect reportedly demanded the money and displayed an automatic handgun. The suspect allegedly forced the clerk to the back of the store and then left through the front door.

Police said the suspect was wearing a black skull cap, multicolored winter jacket and jeans and had a scruffy beard and mustache.

He left with an estimated $1,000 in cash.

A burglary from Sunday is also being investigated.

Green said the doors to the China King Restaurant and Supercuts, both at 9860 Transit Road, were pried open. Damage to each location is estimated at a couple of hundred dollars, he said.

The suspect(s) reportedly took $500 from the restaurant. While responding to the China King complaint, detectives investigated the surrounding businesses, and that is when they discovered the damage to Supercuts.

Green said it is unknown at this time what was taken from the hair salon.

Police estimate that the crimes took place sometime between midnight Saturday and Sunday morning.