Masked robbers force Gastonia Domino's employees into cooler

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia police are searching for 3 masked men who they said pistol-whipped a Domino's employee and put two others inside a cooler.

Officers told Channel 9 that around 1:30 a.m. three men wearing masks entered the Domino’s on West Franklin Boulevard.

The three then pointed guns at the employees, and pistol-whipped one of them, before forcing them into the walk-in cooler, according to investigators.

The three men stole nearly $700 from the register before running off.

Police said none of the employees were seriously hurt.

“My daughter used to work at that Domino's,” said Tim Sherrill, while loading some groceries into his car. “For this area it really surprises me.”

Most, if not all residents Channel 9 spoke with were shocked a business in this particular shopping center would be targeted.

“I hope they catch them for sure,” Domino's customer Marie Emory said.

Emory said she once managed a fast food restaurant and closing time would always make her most nervous.

She and others worry about another business being targeted, as police have yet to make any arrests.

“We hope they catch him for sure,” Emory said. “We don’t want them around here.”

Police have not confirmed if the armed robbery was caught on surveillance video.

A suspect or possible vehicle description has not been released.

Cox Media Group