LAWRENCE, Mass — A teenager’s plan to rob a liquor store was thwarted when a clerk activated a remote locking system, trapping the robber inside the building.
That probably wasn’t the wisest action for her to take, police said, but it was effective.
After getting a emergency call from the clerk, authorities arrived on the scene and found the 19-year-old hiding in the basement.
Armed with a knife, the suspect had demanded money from the cashier but appeared to panic when he realized his escape route was blocked.
He “ran around the store with the knife in his hand, trying to get out,” according to Anthony Silva, who’s owned the store for 26 years. “He started kicking the front door."
Silva said the man ran to the back of the store, but couldn’t figure out how to open the back door. Then he ran upstairs, attempting to get onto the roof.
After an exhaustive search of the store, police arrested Dennis Washington, 19, and charged him with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and armed robbery. He also was wanted on other outstanding warrants.
