SANFORD — An armed man who robbed a neighborhood convenience store Saturday night turned and fired a shot at the clerk who ran after him.

The clerk was not injured and the robber got into a vehicle, which then left the area, police said in a prepared statement.

Police were called to the business, which is both named and located at 88 High St., about 7:25 p.m.

Sgt. Craig Anderson said the clerk called 911 after a man in a ski mask entered the store and demanded money. He displayed a handgun and left the store on foot with money from the cash register, Anderson said.

“The store clerk followed the male across High Street to the intersection of Harvard Street, where the male turned and fired the handgun at the clerk,” Anderson said. “The male was seen entering a vehicle and fleeing the area.”

Sanford Police detectives are investigating. Police are urging anyone who may have information to contact them at 324-9170 and press option 4 to leave a tip or talk to a detective, or make contact through the department’s Facebook page.

“This is the first robbery with shots fired in some time,” said Anderson.

The 88 High St. robbery was the second hold-up in the past eight days; the week before, on Friday night, a lone man armed with a a silver-colored semi-automatic pistol entered the L’il General Store in south Sanford and demanded money, but ran away when the clerk didn’t give him any.

It is unclear whether the two incidents may be connected.

Meanwhile, a Sanford councilor and businessman, Fred Smith, is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].