Police are searching for a woman who robbed the O'Reilly Auto Parts store on West Main Street in Belleville over the weekend.

According to employees' descriptions to police, the suspect bears a strong resemblance to a woman who robbed the Hardee's in O'Fallon.

According to reports, at about 5:30 p.m. Friday a thin, black woman, approximately 25 to 38 years old and wearing a ski mask, walked into the store at 4400 W. Main St., armed with a handgun, and demanded money.

The suspect forced an employee to give her money, and then ordered two employees to the ground near the rear door. A customer had entered the store and was forced, at gunpoint, to the rear of the store and was also forced to the ground, police said.

The suspect fled out the front door of the business with an undetermined amount of cash.

O'Fallon Police Department Lt. Mick Hunter said Monday he planned to contact Belleville investigators to compare notes on the robberies to see if the Belleville case was connected with the armed robbery of Hardee's in O'Fallon last Tuesday.