According to a release from the Fredonia police, a 911 call was received at about 1:20 p.m. describing an attempted robbery at Great Lakes Gold & Silver, 40 West Main St.

Officers responded and were met by the business owner and a witness. The business owner explained he was met by a dark-skinned male, wearing dark clothing and a dark mask, approximately 5-foot-3 and with a thin build, entering the business counter.

A struggle ensued, and the male may have displayed a weapon. The male then ran out the front door of the store and ran east on Main Street. A search of the area for the suspect was unsuccessful.

About 15 minutes into the search, two females on Center Street told authorities they had seen an individual running to Barker Street toward the Canadaway Creek around 1:42 p.m. That’s where officers were headed.

Police and fire vehicles were stationed on Main Street after the reported armed robbery at 40 W. Main St. Photos by M.J. Stafford and Dan Kohler

The store has been in business since 2010. It purchases gold, platinum, coins, watches, diamonds and jewelry and claims to pay fair and high prices in cash. The shop says, through an online listing, that it has “thousands of satisfied customers, many of whom have been returning for years.”

Area police units from the city of Dunkirk, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police responded to assist the Fredonia Police Department. The suspect still has not been located. Anyone that may have witnessed the event is asked to contact the Fredonia Police Department at 716-679-1531.