Mark Hicks

The Detroit News

A camera caught a man clad in black leaping over a counter at a Detroit Rite Aid in less than three seconds and rushing to the back.

Investigators say he then robbed the west-side store at gunpoint last week, but made off with an unusual load: several boxes of diabetic testing trips.

Surveillance footage released by police Thursday shows the man shortly after he entered the business in the 19100 block of Wyoming at about 8:50 p.m. Aug. 18.

After climbing over the counter with a bag, wearing a black T-shirt, matching baseball cap and sneakers, he vanishes from view. But a staffer, whom police described as an asset protection worker, is seen approaching the area and following him.

That’s when the intruder lifts his shirt, reveals a handgun tucked into a waistband “and advised him to get back,” police said in a statement. “The suspect then continued taking the items and filling his bag before climbing back over the counter and fleeing the location on foot.”

Authorities described the man as an African-American around age 30, 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, with a medium to dark brown complexion.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Detroit police 12th Precinct at (313) 596-1240. Anonymous tips can be left through Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.