Lima cash advance store robbed at gunpoint

LIMA - For the second time in as many weeks, an area cash advance store was robbed at gunpoint.

The latest incident took place around 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Check Into Cash store, 2154 Elida Road, according to Maj. Clyde Breitigan, of the Allen County Sheriff's Office.

"A tall black male, dressed very well, walked into the store and met with the owner and operator," Breitigan said. "The man asked for a loan application and while the owner was getting that out the black male produced a large-caliber handgun, told him it was a robbery and demanded cash."

According to Breitigan, the owner of the store gave the robber an undetermined amount of cash that was available out front.

"The black male took the owner back into a closed area of the store, tied him up and fled," Breitigan said. "That's about the story we've got right now."

It is unclear whether the incident is related to a similar incident last week in Wapakoneta.

Last week, a gunman held up the Advance America Cash Advance at 1321 Bellefontaine St., in Wapakoneta. The suspect in that case escorted the female clerk to the back of the business where he tied her wrists and ankles, Wapakoneta police said. Both robberies happened in broad daylight shortly after noon.

Breitigan said detectives were not aware if the two incidents were related. Lt. Greg Lowry of the Wapakoneta Police Department also said he was unsure if the incidents were related.