A clerk at Whistle Stop Hobbies was robbed and bound by aknife-wielding suspect on Tuesday at around noon, Alexandria police said.

According to the Alexandria Police Department, a lonesuspect walked into the store and pulled a knife on the clerk in broaddaylight. A brief struggle ensued, a police spokesman said, and the victimwas cut in the hand.

The robber bound the victim, who was able to free himselfand call the police, but not before the suspect ran off with an undisclosedamount of money.

Francoise Klefalzski, who was working across the streetat a high-end antique store at the time, and who said her and the owner of thetoy store look after each others stores, seemed surprised.

It makes no sense, she said. Why rob a toy store?

The suspect, still on the loose, is described asclean-shaven, possibly Asian or Hispanic, six feet tall and weighing 190 to 200pounds. Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to callthe Crimesolvers Tip Line at 703-838-4858.