Vt. clerk foils robber with 'Let me call my wife'

[February 20, 2010]  WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. (AP) -- A Vermont convenience store clerk foiled a robbery after the would-be robber demanded $200 cash.

Said clerk Michael Patel: "Let me call my wife." With that, Vermont State Police said, a 21-year-old man ran from Ascutney Sunoco. He was later caught and charged with two counts of petty larceny. He pleaded not guilty Thursday in Vermont District Court.

Vermont State Police said the man - who was on bail for a pending charge of stealing catalytic converters from cars - told Patel he had a gun, but he didn't.

In an interview with the Valley News, the 38-year-old Patel said he and his wife, who've owned the store for four years, work hard for their money and don't want to give it away.

---

Information from: Lebanon Valley News, http://www.vnews.com

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.