Male suspect on the loose after Rushmore Casino robbery

The Rushmore Casino in Rapid City was robbed Tuesday night.

It happened about 6:30 p.m.

Officers with the Rapid City Police Department tell us they responded to a panic alarm, and 911 calls from casino goers.

A man threatened a clerk and demanded money, fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Officers would not confirm initial reports that the man was wearing a Halloween mask and was carrying a hammer.

Just after the robbery, officers locked up the casino to go over surveillance video.

"We're checking the area, there's some information as to which way he may have gone so we've kind of set up a perimeter and we're just checking to see if maybe he's still in the area or has dropped any evidence or anything that may be of value in the area,” said Richard Holt with the Rapid City Police Department.

There was an extensive search in the area around the casino, but so far, no word on any arrests.