CHAMPAIGN — Police are asking for help solving an armed robbery early Tuesday morning in Champaign.

According to a police report, a 21-year-old Champaign man was on a sidewalk on the north side of the 200 block of East John Street at 2:26 a.m. Tuesday when he saw a man step out from between a building at 212 E. John St. and a parking garage west of that location. The man had a black handgun in his right hand as he approached the victim and asked him for his belongings.

Police said the victim took out his wallet and cellphone and dropped them to the ground. The robber picked up both items and walked away, heading north between the west side of the building at 212 E. John St. and the parking garage.

The victim described the robber as a black man weighing between 145 and 150 pounds. He is about 21 years old and 5 feet 7 inches tall and had dreadlocks just below his ears. He was wearing shorts and a white form-fitting shirt that resembled a soccer jersey.

Police ask anyone with information to call Champaign police at 351-4545 or Champaign County Crimestoppers at 373-8477. Tips can also be sent at http://www.373tips.com or by text by sending Tip397 plus the tip to CRIMES (274637). The information you provide is confidential. You do not have to give your name or appear in court. Crimestoppers will pay a reward if the information you provide leads to an arrest for this crime. Cash rewards are also paid for information on other felony crimes or fugitives in the Champaign County area.