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Gunman suspected of robbing Aldi, Albertsons at large

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A gunman remains at large after robbing an Albertsons grocery store full of people in Seminole County, authorities said.

Authorities believe he is the same man who robbed an Aldi grocery store the night before Thanksgiving on Buenaventura Boulevard in Kissimmee.

The man walked into an Albertsons on State Road 436 near Palm Springs Drive in Altamonte Springs at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday and went straight to the store's manager, police said.

Authorities said the robber had watched the store's managers for several minutes before making his move.

"He observed one of the managers. That manager had just emptied the till at the pharmacy and was making his way back towards the front of the store," said Robert Pelton of the Altamonte Springs Police Department.

Police said the robber then approached a second manager with a note.

"That note basically implied, 'This is a robbery. Don't do anything, and nobody will be hurt.' The manager followed the gunman's instructions," Pelton said.

Police said the gunman forced the manager into the store's office, showed his gun and forced the manager to open a safe. Police said the man then took the money and fled the store.

"The dog did track back around behind Albertsons and the track was lost, which leads us believe he did have a vehicle nearby," said Pelton.

Police said they are looking through surveillance video.