Robber escapes after holding up Applebee’s manager

The manager of the Applebee’s restaurant in Fayetteville was unharmed after being robbed at gunpoint early Sunday morning before opening time.

Det. Mike Whitlow said the Applebee’s manager was the only person in the restaurant when the robbery occurred. The manager opened the store’s rear door used by employees at 8:15 a.m. after the door’s buzzer sounded, Whitlow said.

“He opened the door and two black males barged in,” Whitlow said. “One of them was armed with a silver handgun.”

Whitlow said the manager was unharmed, adding that the robbers got away with an undetermined amount of cash. Investigators were only able to obtain a minimal description of the two men because they were wearing hoodies, Whitlow said.

The restaurant is located On Ga. Highway 85 near Banks Road. Whitlow said the two males initially ran in the direction of Banks Road and Ga. Highway 314.

Whitlow said investigators spoke with witnesses who described a vehicle the two men were thought to have entered. Investigators are also reviewing videos from area businesses, Whitlow added.