KFC employees thwart robbery at knifepoint

Employees of KFC thwarted a robbery attempt Wednesday morning by a knife-wielding man, Cape Girardeau police reported.

Charles W. Williams, 18, of Thebes, Ill., was charged with attempted robbery, armed criminal action, felony assault, resisting arrest and misdemeanor assault, according to a warrant issued by the Cape Girardeau County proseuctor's office. Bond was set at $100,000.

At about 9:20 a.m., Williams entered the restaurant at 2101 William St., grabbed a female employee and held a knife to her throat, police spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

After a brief struggle with a second employee, Williams dropped the knife and fled, pursued by a third employee, Hovis said.

The employee who followed reported to responding police that Williams ran toward Good Hope Street, where he was arrested at 9:33 a.m. by officer Greg Chenoweth.

One employee received a minor puncture wound to the neck. The KFC employees were lucky, Hovis said. "In most circumstances, you should comply with a robber because the amount stolen is not worth a life," he said.