SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 3 a.m. Sunday, police responded to an open 911 line to a local store at 10th and Topeka Boulevard in Topeka, according to Lt. Colleen Stuart.

On arrival, officers located a suspect exiting the store office.

It was determined the suspect had been found behind a store counter taking items. When confronted by a store employee, the man showed a weapon and forced the employee into an office where the employee was then struck several times.

The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the store safe and was in the process of exiting the store when police officers arrived.

Police arrested Craig Smith, 45, on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping.  He has previous convictions for theft, Aggravated Battery and Drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.