Chaos erupted at a gaming store in Atlanta when an armed robbery took place, with the thief making off with $3,000 and a handgun, police said. The incident occurred at 1634 Lakewood Ave SE, around the stark hour of 1:39am, when police were called to the scene of a business burglary. According to a statement by the Atlanta Police Department, the suspect had been attempting to break into the gaming machines using a tire iron before confronting an employee.

The drama unfolded as the suspect, brandishing a firearm, demanded that the startled employee open the gaming machines. When the worker professed an inability to access them, the thief's greed turned to the cash registers, as reported by the Atlanta Police Department. The robber made off with the loot, fleeing the scene in a vehicle believed to be a blue early 2000s GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, heading north on Lakewood Ave.

No injuries were reported in this incident. The Atlanta Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into the robbery, calling for any information that could assist in arresting the perpetrator. Meanwhile, business owners and employees in the Lakewood Avenue SE area have been left on high alert, as their sense of security has been shaken by the brazen act of crime that erupted in their midst.

Investigators have been scouring the area for surveillance footage and witnesses that could provide a clearer picture of the suspect or the getaway vehicle. In the aftermath of the robbery, community members have expressed concern and are cooperating with authorities in the hope of a quick resolution to the case. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by businesses, even in the sleeping hours of the night.