The St. Clairsville Police Department is investigating a Wednesday afternoon strong-arm robbery.

Investigators say it happened just after 3:30 p.m. at the State Cleaner and Shirt Laundry along East Main Street.

"A young male subject entered the cleaners went to the cash register reached in and secured the money and left, pushing the employee down to the floor," said Police Chief Martin Kendzora.

After grabbing the cash, the chief says the man made his way out this side door before heading down Newell Avenue.

Police say the man responsible is between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, 150-160 pounds, wearing dark blue jeans, a dark jacket, and having curly hair covered by a dark hat.

Regardless of the investigation, the crime seems to have gotten to some people in town.

"It's St. Clairsville. It's like things don't happen like that around here," said Jane Graham. "So it's shocking and it's kind of like scary."

And many small business owners like Dawn Schoolcraft of A 2 Z Preschool are in shock.

"It would be devastating if something like that happened to us. The parents would want to pull their kids, they would think they weren't safe," said Schoolcraft. " We have security cameras up and a system because you never know what's going to happen even here."