IBARAKI (TR) – Police are on the hunt for an armed man who attempted to rob a convenience store early Friday, only to flee empty-handed after a clerk raised the alarm, reports TV Asahi (July 31).
Shortly after 1:30 a.m., a man concealing his face with a helmet, mask, and goggles entered the 7-Eleven Ibaraki Chiyoda store in Kasumigaura City. He approached a 66-year-old part-time clerk who was checking inventory, thrust a knife at him, and demanded, “Open the register.”
Instead of complying, the clerk loudly shouted, “It’s a robbery!” Startled by the screams, the assailant sprayed the clerk with what is believed to be tear gas before fleeing the scene in a vehicle without taking any cash.
The store’s owner immediately dialed police to report the attack. Police confirmed there were no customers inside the store at the time, and the clerk escaped without injury.
Authorities are now tracking the suspect on suspicion of attempted robbery. The assailant is described as being approximately 170 centimeters tall, and was last seen wearing a black jacket and navy blue trousers.
