REXBURG — Police are continuing their search for an armed man who walked into the Rexburg branch of the East Idaho Credit Union Wednesday afternoon, shutting employees and customers in a safe and escaping with an undisclosed amount of money.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rexburg branch location at 412 Grand Loop, just north of Trejo Street.

The man is described as a 5-foot-10 caucasian with eyes possibly hazel in color, weighing between 200-230 pounds, with a heavy build. He was wearing a dark colored coat and baggy blue jeans. He was also wearing a a dark colored ski mask and using dark gloves. Police say the weapon he carried appears to be an assault rifle. There are no suspects and nobody was injured.

The suspect was last seen heading south on South Yellowstone Highway in a dark blue or black car with tinted windows, unique tail lights and red-and-white license plates. During the robbery the car was parked in a parking stall for the handicapped near the door of the building.

Rexburg Police Capt. Randy Lewis said the man forced several employees and several customers, including small children at gunpoint into the walk-in safe. The suspect did not enter the safe, but forced employees to give him money from it. With the employees and customers still inside the safe, the suspect then slammed the door shut, but it did not latch.

The amount of money taken has not been released.

Police originally responded to a hold-up alarm set off at the credit union. It is unknown if it was automatic or if one of the employees set it off.

The armed robbery set off a manhunt in other areas of Rexburg as heavily armed police stopped cars on roads leading from the area around the credit union to search for the suspect. A perimeter was immediately set up surrounding the credit union.

As of 7:10 p.m., police had the roads around the credit union cordoned off while Rexburg police detectives investigated inside. Rexburg police are heading up the investigation with Madison County deputies, the FBI and other police agencies assisting in the search for the suspect.

Shortly before 7 p.m. a reverse 911 call from Madison County Dispatch went out to residents in the surrounding Rexburg area.