An employee of a Northeast Portland bar locked a robbery suspect inside the business while waiting for officers to respond, but the man escaped after breaking glass Monday morning, police said.

The robbery occurred around 1:30 a.m. at Sullivan's Gulch Bar and Grill at 2512 N.E. Broadway St., police said in a news release. An employee told officers the suspect had been playing video poker and talking on the phone until all the customers left at the end of the shift, police said.

The man then pushed his way behind the bar to demand money, police said. The employee managed to go outside and lock the suspect inside the bar.

As the employee hid outside, he heard the suspect break glass at the front of the business, police said. Officers and police dogs looked for the suspect, but they could not find him, police said.

Sgt. Pete Simpson said the employee and suspect were the only people inside at the time of the incident. He said there was no indication the suspect was a regular customer. No one answered the phone at the bar Monday morning.

Police said the suspect is between 35 and 40 years old with a thin build and a bald or shaved head with possible facial tattoos. He stands around 6 feet 1 inch, and he wore a dark-colored jacket and light-colored shorts.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call robbery detectives at 503-823-0405.

— Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports