ZIP CITY — Authorities are trying to identify a man who robbed P and K Western Store on Alabama 17 on Monday morning.

Chief Investigator Travis Clemmons, of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, said the robbery occurred about 10:30 a.m.

“The store wasn’t opened, but the lady stopped back to check on a few things and to feed the cat,” Clemmons said. “Apparently, just after she unlocked the door, the man walked in with a gun and demanded money.”

The clerk said the man walked in with the gun in sight and told her to give him money.

Authorities said the robber appeared to have some type of semi-automatic pistol, according to reports.

The 32-year-old woman handed over the money, and the robber then tied her hands using plastic zip-ties, according to reports. Authorities said he then walked her to the bathroom, where he left her.

A few minutes later, the woman was able to get free and call 911, but the man had left by then. The woman was not injured, Clemmons said.

Lauderdale County investigator Clifford Whitten said the suspect is described as a white man dressed in a black-hooded sweatshirt and wearing a black mask over his face.

“(The witness) said he was wearing jeans, brown jersey gloves and tennis shoes that had some orange in them,” Whitten said.

The man left in a black Chevrolet Blazer but the direction of travel was not known.

“Hopefully, someone saw something that could help us identify the robber,” Whitten said.

Anyone knowing anything about the robbery is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 256-760-5757 or Crime Stoppers at 256-386-8685.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.