A man posing as a customer robbed a convenience store clerk in Ellicott City early yesterday and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money, Howard County police reported.

The robbery occurred about 2: 35 a.m. at a 7-Eleven store in the 9000 block of Frederick Road.

The clerk told police that the man inquired about a purchase, then placed his hand under his shirt as if he had a weapon and announced a holdup.

The man fled on foot.

He was described as about 25 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 160 pounds, with a medium complexion and a thin mustache.

He was wearing a dark baseball hat, gray T-shirt, brown shorts and sneakers.