BLOOMING PRAIRIE — One man is in custody following an armed robbery of the Casey’s General Store in Blooming Prairie early Saturday morning.

Blooming Prairie police responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at 1:05 a.m.

The suspect fled just before the arrival of Officer Jacob Peterson, according to a news release. Peterson searched the store and found three employees hiding in a back area. One of the employees stated that she’d been robbed at gunpoint, and that she could identify the suspect.

According to Police Chief Paul Wayne, the suspect has applied to work at that Casey’s, and one store clerk knew the man.

Members of several law-enforcement agencies searched the area around the store, but did not find the suspect. Then they surrounded a residence the suspect was known to frequent, according to the news release.

Officers spoke with the homeowner, who gave them permission to search the house. The suspect was found lying on a bed, and was arrested.

The suspect was taken to the Steele County jail.

No one was injured in the incident. The suspect was not able to take any cash from the store, the news release said.

Blooming Prairie police were assisted by members of the Steele, Mower, Freeborn and Dodge sheriff’s offices, the Minnesota State Patrol and the Owatonna Police Department.