Published: May 30, 2008 11:15 am         

Clerk thwarts robbery

Police catch would-be crook

DANVILLE — One gas station clerk decided not to give in quite so easily to a robbery attempt on Thursday.

The woman, whose name was not released, was working in the back room just after 1 a.m. at the Circle K gas station, 401 W. Main St.

Police Deputy Director Doug Miller said she heard someone come in the gas station and saw a man who asked for some change. When she opened the cash register, the man reached across the counter and grabbed money from the drawer.

The clerk, however, wasn’t ready to give up the money so easily. She grabbed the robber’s arm and struggled with the man, eventually getting the money back, Miller said.

The thief then fled on foot from the Circle K, headed toward the 300 block of Oak Street where police responding to the scene nabbed him a short time later.

Anthony Robertson, 32, of the 900 block of Belton Avenue, was arraigned in circuit court Thursday afternoon on a charge of theft, accusing him of stealing money.

While the clerk was successful with her effort to get back the stolen money, Miller said her actions are not something police suggest to other employees.

He said there is always “the potential for weapons or someone getting injured” when a person fights back, even though no weapon was displayed at the Circle K incident.

Miller said victims should always treat the situation as though a weapon is present and not to confront the person.