Armed Pair Wearing Scream Masks Rob Lowell Liquor Store

LOWELL (CBS) -- Lowell Police are investigating a robbery after two people wearing masks from the movie "Scream" held up a liquor store.

Two robbers wearing all black and "Scream" masks entered Belvidere Liquors on Concord Street at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. The robbers allegedly took cash from the store as one held a shotgun and the other a handgun.

Clerk Manny Toste said the pair grabbed cash from the register and ran. He said he put his hands up when the robbers came in with guns, but tried not to give them anything.

"Put my hands up keep on smiling, it's all good, it's all good," Toste said. "There's no safe you're not getting anything,"  Toste said he told the robbers.

Earlier that night, police investigated reports of two similarly dressed people hiding behind a trash receptacle at a convenience store several miles away from Belvidere Liquors. The pair allegedly fled after a clerk at the store spotted them and called police. Police believe it was the same pair of robbers that barged into Belvidere Liquors.

"Immediately my employee came inside and called the police.  They were here in two or three minutes but didn't find anything," said Gulf station owner Rajiv Mehtal said of potentially spotting the alleged robbers earlier.

No one was injured in either case.

Police say the masks don't necessarily hide the robbers' identities. They could even help in the investigation if anyone recognizes the tactic. They are, however, worried the robbers might strike again.

"Obviously they're desperate," said Lowell police Captain Tim Crowley.  "They're armed with firearms, one of them appears to be a sawed off shotgun.  That causes great concern because those can do a lot of damage when they go off."

Anyone with information on the masked robbers is asked to call Lowell Police at 978-937-3200 or Crimestoppers at 978-459-TIPS (8477).

In:
• Lowell
• Armed Robbery