Knife-wielding man holds up Pawn Store

The Pawn Store at 22 E. Washington St. was held up at knife point Saturday morning, with the suspect fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

In tough times, pawn shops can often represent the last vestige of economic solvency for those down on their luck.

Those in need of cash and willing to trade their valuables for a few bucks to tide them over to the next paycheck often find a pawn shop a suitable option.

However, Saturday morning in Greencastle, one pawn shop visitor turned that fair trade system decidedly on its ear.

At approximately 10:20 a.m., an unidentified white male entered The Pawn Store, located at 22 E. Washington St., via the rear entrance that faces the Vine Street parking lot and the post office.

Brandishing a large knife, the suspect demanded cash from the pawn shop clerk. Police said the clerk obeyed the intruder's demands.

The suspect reportedly made off with an undisclosed amount of cash that was contained in a metal cash box, Greencastle City Police officials said.

The robbery suspect fled out the back door of The Pawn Store and reportedly turned eastbound, continuing on foot. The clerk immediately called 911 to report the brazen daylight robbery.

The pawn shop clerk described the suspect as a white male of medium build, approximately 5 feet, 7 inches, to 5 feet, 9 inches in height.

The suspect was reportedly wearing a black ski mask, blue hoodie, blue jeans, black baseball cap, work boots and gloves, according to the clerk's description.

Police officers and detectives searched the general area -- just east of the courthouse square -- canvassing the businesses in the immediate vicinity that were open at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information pertaining to the robbery investigation is asked to contact the Greencastle Police Department at 653-2925.