Mary Buell Hall, the parish house of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Princess Anne, was the site where members of New Life Apostolic Church were meeting on Dec. 7 when an armed man entered and demanded money and cell phones. He fled without taking anything and now police are on the lookout to make an arrest.

PRINCESS ANNE — Princess Anne Police are seeking the public’s help in finding the person who attempted to break up a church gathering and commit armed robbery on those in attendance.

It was at 7:14 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 when police responded to the parish house of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church located on the corner of Washington and Church streets. Members of New Life Apostolic Church were holding their services at the parish house that evening.

The investigation revealed that the suspect entered the building while the meeting was occurring and displayed a holster with what was believed to be a handgun in the holster.

The suspected demanded that the victims place their cellphones on a table at which time the suspect was then confronted by the pastor. The suspect pointed the holster at the pastor; however, the pastor asked the suspect to leave at which point the suspect did leave without obtaining any property from the victims.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black male, approximately 6-foot-tall to 6 feet 4 inches tall, approximately 235 to 275 pounds. The suspect was wearing a black knit cap with a black scarf covering his face, and black gloves. There were no reported injuries from the incident.

Anyone with any information concerning this investigation is encouraged to contact the PAPD at 410-651-1822 or Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore at 410-548-1776 where anonymous tips can be provided. Information that leads to an arrest can result in monetary rewards.

Scheduled before this crime was reported in response to national news about shootings during church services, an active shooter training session for church members is being held by Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. It is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Princess Anne firehouse. A session for pastors and lay leaders will be held 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27.

Meanwhile at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, a committee had already been formed to create an action plan should there be an active shooter on church grounds. It will receive advice from the Sheriff's Office on how to proceed. A report of the committee’s work is expected during the Annual Meeting in January.