VIDEO: Man dressed as 'The Joker' robs Phoenix store

PHOENIX - A knife-wielding man who painted his face to look like The Joker from "Batman" has eluded authorities for more than a week after holding up a soda shop in Phoenix.

The suspect, who was wearing a black wig and elaborate face paint, pretended to be a customer on Jan. 8 at the Rocket Fizz soda shop on 51st Avenue and Union Hills in Phoenix.

He waited for two customers to leave the store before he went into “robbery mode”, according to Sgt. Darren Burch, who coordinates the Silent Witness program at the Phoenix Police Department.

Burch said the suspect used duct tape to restrain two employees.

He stole money from the cash register and the safe, and he cut one employee with a knife.

The injury required stitches, Burch said.

"It was right out of a Batman movie," said Bradley Fry, the store's owner, who wasn't there but heard the first hand account from his workers.

Both victims didn't want to talk to ABC15.

“One thing that really jumps out at me is the fact that this suspect has makeup as opposed to a mask," Burch said.

“A mask is something to hide your identity,” he said, wondering whether the suspect had actually planned the robbery or whether it was a last minute decision.

“It’s real possible that this was opportunistic for some other reason.  There was some other reason for him being in costume other than this robbery," Burch said. "I think [the robbery] was more of an afterthought."

"He felt he was the joker. It was a scary thing. It was eerie," Fry said.

Burch said someone who took time to put on elaborate make-up likely may have been seen by someone else before the crime.

“Neighbors can see you like this. People are going to see you,” he said.

Burch said he wonders whether there was some other event the night of the crime that might have encouraged someone to dress up in costume.

He said he is hoping someone will recognize the costume or the event that the suspect might have been planning to attend when the robbery occurred.

“Why was he dressed like that, and what venue is out there... that may have drawn him to that venue?” Burch said.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 20's. He weighs approximately 170 pounds and was wearing a black and yellow jacket, white shorts, and a black wig when he held up the story around 6:30 p.m.

Anyone with information that might lead to the suspect is encouraged to contact Silent Witness, at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or silentwitness.org .

Silent Witness is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.