Albemarle police are collaborating with surrounding counties about an armed robbery suspect who concealed his face with a gorilla mask.

No arrests have been made in the Dec. 19 armed robbery at the Shell station at 1973 East Main St., Albemarle. Investigators are working with Anson County authorities about a similar crime, according to Albemarle police Capt. David Dulin.

Around 1 a.m. a black male dressed in a dark-colored hoodie and a gorilla mask and no gloves pointed a handgun in the face of the store clerk and demanded cash. He then fled the scene and is believed to have gotten inside a waiting car along Barnard Street, Dulin said.

There’s video evidence that shows the suspect jumped out of the car before going inside the store. Video evidence also shows a getaway driver turned the car around while the robbery was in progress, Dulin said.

A witness arrived on the scene at the time of the robbery, he added.

Investigators have been collaborating with other agencies about similar crimes. In an armed robbery in Anson, the suspect also used a gorilla mask. Police believe the two crimes could be related.