Armed Bandits Get $37K from Check-Cashing Business

Two armed men robbed a check-cashing business on Columbia Pike this week and made off with $37,000, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

The two men were hanging out in the parking lot of the business, which is near the intersection of South Four Mile Run Drive, Wednesday morning before it opened, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said.

An employee arrived to open the store at about 8:45 a.m. The pair approached her and one put a knife to her throat; the other, a gun to her head, Sternbeck said.

The men made the woman open the business and take them to the safe, which they demanded she open.

They took about $37,000 and ran away.

"That's a lot of scratch," Sternbeck said.

Police have only a vague description. They're looking for two men between 5 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall with medium builds and short dark hair. Investigators hope video footage from the store's security camera will give them a better visual description, Sternbeck said.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Arlington County Police Department at 703-558-2222.