Clarke County

Gang of masked men armed with guns storms gas station, restaurant

CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — A gang of armed robbers terrorized workers at a gas station and a restaurant and is suspected in a string of other violent crimes.

Channel 2's Tom Regan learned these men may also be breaking into cars to steal guns.

The armed robbers hit a Golden Pantry convenience store late Monday night. Fifteen minutes later, they burst into a restaurant down the road.

Police are worried that if these men aren't caught, someone could be shot.

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Surveillance video captured the terrifying robbery. It shows the three men, all masked and holding guns, burst into the store to hold up the clerk.

"One individual stayed by the door to act as a lookout while the other two obtained cash from the cashier," said Geoffrey Gilland, with Athens-Clarke County police.

The robbery gang worked fast and used the same strategy when they hit a restaurant down the road, a mere 15 minutes later.

They began the night stealing a car.

"We believe these three individuals stole that vehicle and then conducted the armed robberies," Gilland said.

The trio is suspected in other armed robberies in the Athens area last month, as well as car break-ins. In one of those burglaries, a handgun and a shotgun were stolen.

Police are working urgently to identify the men and put them in jail.

"Obviously they're using guns. There is a chance that weapons could be discharged and people could be injured," Gilland said.

Police are offering a $1,000 reward for tips that lead to an arrest.