TUALATIN, Ore. -- A man wearing a mask robbed a Tualatin Burger King with a gun a little before 11 p.m. Monday, police said.

At about 10:50 p.m. Monday, a masked man armed with a handgun robbed the Burger King restaurant at 17971 SW McEwan Road, Tualatin.

Tualatin police responded to a holdup alarm at the restaurant at 10:52 p.m.

An employee gave officers a description of the gunman and reported that he had robbed her at gunpoint, taking nearly $400.

A Beaverton police canine officer assisted but was unable to locate the man.

Susan Sightler was staying at a nearby Motel 6.

She and her family were on their way to eat at the Burger King when the gunman struck.

"We saw three cops walk by our window with rifles and guns drawn. It was scary," Sightler said. "Police said, 'Get into your hotel room lock the door and stay there,' at that point I started running back to my room."

Working at a nearby coffee stand, Francesca Yvonne said the robbery has shaken her confidence in the area's safety.

"It's terrifying, really terrifying," Yvonne said. "My experience is that everyone is incredibly friendly and really civilized. So I'm disheartened to hear that."

Other people in the area described a strong police presence in the neighborhood, one that is usually strong enough to deter such crime.

Jeremy Adams, who works near the restaurant, said the area is usually pretty mellow despite some "idiot drivers." He was surprised that the robbery took place.

"I really didn't think fast food would get robbed over there like that, of course it's right there on the freeway too, so you never know," Adams said.

The robber was described as a man, 5 feet 6 inches tall and very thin, dressed in black pants, a blue hooded sweatshirt with a blue bandana over his face.

Because of the bandana, the victim was not able to identify the gunman's race or age.

Anyone with information about the crime can call the Tualatin police tip line at 503-691-4813.