Local authorities are on the lookout for a man who held up Buster's Bi-Lo at Third and Lorain streets Thursday afternoon.

One man was detained for a short time only hours after the incident, but was released when a gas station employee said he was not the culprit.

Ironton Police detective Jim Akers said a gas station attendant called police at 12:27 p.m. and said a man wearing a ski mask walked into the store, pulled out a silver revolver and demanded money. He fled on foot with an undetermined amount of cash, headed in the direction of three-and-a-half alley.

Just after 2 p.m., a Lawrence County Sheriff's deputy spotted a man fitting the suspect's description walking along U.S. 52 in the area of the Ashland-Coal Grove bridges. Sheriff's deputies and officers from Ironton and Coal Grove police departments detained the man, but the gas station attendant said the man detained was taller than the suspect, Akers said.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 150 pounds wearing a red plaid jacket and blue jeans. He is described as having a blond mustache.

Akers said anyone who may have information about the suspect or the robbery is asked to call the police department at 532-2338.