SANDY SHORES — A routine evening at the Liquor Ace turned chaotic Thursday when a lone thief attempted to seize control of the register, only to be thwarted by a quick-witted clerk and perhaps a bit of good luck.
The incident began around 6:30 PM when a suspect entered the brightly lit store, armed with a firearm. Rather than waiting for a command or pointing the weapon at the customer service area, the robber marched directly to the register and attempted to grab it. Witnesses described a frantic moment where the clerk held their ground, causing the suspect to struggle with the fixture before realizing it was anchored firmly in place.
After dropping the weapon in frustration and fumbling for change from his pocket, the suspect made a hasty retreat out the front door. Police arrived shortly after to collect forensic evidence from the floor, though no suspects are currently in custody. The store remains open for business, with owners expressing relief that inventory was left mostly intact.