Brookhaven police are investigating a Wednesday nightconvenience store robbery in which the store’s cash register wastaken, authorities said.

Brookhaven Assistant Police Chief Nolan Jones said officersresponded to a panic alarm around 8 p.m. Wednesday night at theCity Mart at the corner of Zetus Road and Highway 184.

The clerk told them a tall, heavyset black man, wearing a blackski mask and gloves, entered the store and demanded money. She wasable to escape the building unharmed and began screaming forhelp.

Jones said the man then took the cash register and made hisgetaway.

The second man, whom police believe may also have been involved,was outside the store. The clerk could not give a description ofthe second man.

Jones said police are asking local residents to contact them at(601) 833-2424 or call Lincoln County Crimestoppers at (601)823-0150 if they have any knowledge of the robbery or thoseinvolved.

In other activity, four Brookhaven women were arrested Tuesdayafternoon and charged with felony shoplifting in the taking ofmerchandise from Betty Ann’s Limited clothing store on BrookwayBoulevard. The incident happened earlier in the day.

Police Chief Pap Henderson said Selema Laprece Wilcher, 20, of718 Browns Loop; Stormica Latrece Wilson, 20, of 424 East CherokeeSt.; Omega Denise Weathersby, 21, of 142 South St.; and SlynthiaShuntel Scott, 22, of 506 Vanzie St., were all charged with felonyshoplifting Tuesday after being arrested at the store.

“They’re being charged with a felony because of the amount ofmerchandise they had taken pricewise,” said Henderson, who did notgive an esimated value of the merchandise.

Henderson also said while store owners should not summarilysuspect any group of people shopping together of shoplifting, it’sstill good to be on the lookout when a large group comes into astore together.

“Be aware of when they’re constantly walking around watchingyou, or when you’re being distracted with questions by one or twoand the others are in areas of the store you can’t see well,” hesaid. “You can’t just accuse three or four people because they walkinto your business, but it doesn’t hurt to pay attention tothem.”