It was a robbery attempt that one witnesses describes as more of a joke than an actual threat.
A suspect entered the Exxon gas station Sunday morning, near 32nd and Van Buren streets, and used a see-through plastic bag to cover his hand which he was using to simulate a gun with his fingers.
James Pattrick Lemmon told ABC15, he was inside the store when a man entered, wearing a mask.
At first, Lemmon said, he thought it was some kind of joke — that the clerk knew this suspect. Mostly because he describes just how obvious it was that the man did not have a gun hidden in that plastic bag.
But, Lemmon said the suspect started to get aggressive, repeating to "give him the money." When Lemmon realized that this was actual a serious robbery attempt, he tried tackling the suspect to the ground.
"I shop here every day and I don't want these guys to get robbed," Lemmon said. "They're not going to give a penny to some idiot with his hand in a bag. That's my opinion."
The suspect got away though, hopping onto his bike and riding off.
Phoenix police describe the suspect as 5'9" with a thin build. He was last seen wearing grey fleece and jeans.
Please call police or Silent Witness with any information.
