A violent armed robbery in Phoenix has police searching for the suspect.

The suspect pretended they were at a convenience store originally to purchase cigarettes. When the total was rang up by the employee, the suspect pulled out a handgun and demanded money from the register. When the employee refused to open the cash register, she was struck in the head with the pistol by the suspect.

The employee ran out of the store and was chased by the suspect. The suspect did not re-enter the store to grab the money. No vehicle was seen.

The suspect is a black male that is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall in his 20’s. He was last seen wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt and armed with a black semi-automatic pistol.

Tipsters can remain completely anonymous and call in at (480) 948-6377.

Follow @KTAR923