Police found Urban Anderson, 31, on the ground with a rifle pointed at his head. Anderson is charged with attempted robbery.
Syracuse, NY -- A masked man armed with a knife was no match this afternoon for a Syracuse store employee armed with a rifle, Syracuse police said.
Police were called to a robbery in progress at 12:39 p.m. today to Balwi Food Market, 801 Butternut St. When officers arrived, they found the store clerk with a rifle pointed to the head of Urban Anderson, 31, Sgt. Tom Connellan said. The clerk is not being named by police.
Connellan gave these details:
Anderson, of 210 Lincoln Ave., walked into Balwi Food Market wearing a ski mask and carrying a knife. Anderson walked behind the counter and confronted the 21-year-old store employee. Anderson and the store employee exchanged words and Anderson began swinging the knife.
The employee, who suffered cuts to his arms by the knife, was able to fend off Anderson before he grabbed a rifle kept behind the counter for protection. The store employee forced Anderson to the ground, keeping him there until police arrived.
Anderson was charged with attempted robbery and assault, both felonies, and criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.
The store clerk’s cut arms were treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital, police said.