Ceres Police detectives are hoping the public has clues that will lead to the arrest of two men who robbed Richland Liquors, 1805 Richland Avenue on Saturday evening.

Police received a silent alarm call at 9:03 p.m. and rushed to the scene but the robbers had fled. Two employees and the owner told police that while mopping the floor near the front door, two men burst in the door with a .380 caliber handgun. The first robber was described as being a black male adult with short dreadlocks, 19 to 22 years old, about 5-foot-11, wearing a black hoodie over his head and something covering his mouth and nose, carrying a silver handgun. The second suspect was described as a black male adult, about 19 to 20 years old, wearing a grey hoodie and red short shorts and carrying a black handgun.

The second suspect entered the store first and pointed his gun at a clerk ordering hands up. The second suspect then went behind register. The other robber asked where the boss was and told in the back. The suspect had the clerk walk to the back at which time the business owner walked out of the restroom. The suspect ordered both employees to go with him towards the front where the second suspect was having the other store employee emptying the cash register.

Both suspects fled the store with about $400 cash.

Prior to the robbery the clerk observed a black woman who may have acting as a lookout as she was scratching lottery tickets on the northeast side of the store. She was described as heavy set, curly hair, about 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6, 280 pounds, and about 25 to 26 years old.

Anyone with information on the robbery is urged to call Sgt. Danny Vierra at 538-5672 or Ceres Police at 538-5712.