MERRILLVILLE | A man carrying a gun and wearing a surgical mask robbed Aldi Foods on Thursday night, Merrillville police said.

Police Operations Cmdr. Lance Huish said the man entered the grocery store on U.S. 30 before it closed and was seen walking around the business.

The man was wearing a large bulky coat and large gloves in addition to the mask, but no one in the store reported the suspicious activity until after the robbery.

The man waited to rob the grocery store until after it closed and all other shoppers had left the facility. The robbery occurred about 8:30 p.m. when the man pulled out a gun and demanded money, Huish said.

The man collected cash and coins in a plastic bag, which broke because of the weight, and he started snatching the bills that fell on the ground and fled the scene, Huish said.

Police aren't certain how much money was taken from the grocery store.

"He left with what he could grab," Huish said.

Anyone with more information on the incident is asked to call Merrillville police at (219) 769-3531.