Store clerk refuses to cooperate with robber

A store clerk refused to hand an armed robber money, then called police when she locked herself in a separate room Tuesday night.

William Driskell, 19, of Jackson was arrested Tuesday by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Department and has been charged with felony first-degree attempted robbery.

Cape Girardeau County sheriff’s Lt. Eric Friederich said the security camera footage clearly shows Driskell, with nothing obscuring his face, walk into Amerimart off U.S. 61 in Fruitland about 8:30 p.m., point a gun at the clerk and ask for the store’s money.

The clerk said no, got on the phone to police and went into another room, Friederich said. All this was in view of Driskell, who stood there.

“She’s kind of a feisty clerk,” Friederich said. “She was not going to have any part of it.”

Friederich also said the camera footage showed a look on Driskell’s face where he became resigned it was going to be a failed robbery attempt and he should leave the store. Friederich said Driskell was an inexperienced robber.

“You can see him dumbfounded,” Friederich said.

Sheriff’s deputies later arrested Driskell in the 100 block of Oak Drive in Jackson. Friederich said he was cooperative during the arrest.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

5410 U.S. 61, Jackson, Mo.