Apr 11, 2017 1 min read

A polite note handed over by a would-be robber was not enough to persuade a Washington convenience store clerk to hand over cash early Tuesday.

City police were called about 4:20 a.m. to the Uni-Mart, 336 E. Maiden St., for a report of an attempted robbery. Police tried to gather information from the clerk but said there was a major language barrier. Police were able to determine the robber was a white man, about 6 feet to 6 feet, 4 inches tall, who was wearing a black mask and might have been wearing a red coat.

The culprit reportedly handed the clerk a note that read, “There is a gun on me. I am asking politely for register money so I don’t have to hurt anyone. Put it in the bag.”

Police said the clerk immediately grabbed the telephone and called 911. He also refused to open the register. The would-be robber fled on foot in an unknown direction. Police said no gun was seen during the incident.

The note was placed into evidence, police said. They also are trying to get surveillance video from the store.