Woman robbed, bound at tobacco shop north of South Bend

St. Joseph County police on Monday were investigating a robbery that occurred over the weekend at the U.S. 31 Tobacco shop in the 50500 block of Indiana 933 in Clay Township.

According to police, a 24-year-old South Bend woman was unlocking the business and turning on the lights and signs about 6 a.m. Sunday when a man wearing a black mask approached her, displayed a handgun and took her to the back of the business.

The assailant allegedly bound the woman’s ankles and wrists with duct tape.

The suspect then reportedly smashed up display cases in the business and stole the store’s safe, money from the woman’s wallet and her car.

The woman said a second male robber was in the store.

Before leaving, the robbers reportedly took the video recover and monitor from the store.

The woman, despite being bound, set off the panic alarm after the robbers left and got to a phone to call police.