A would be robber with a gun proved fled empty handed after he was confronted by a liquor store clerk Thursday.
The robbery attempt happened at the Pipers Liquor Express on Hammond Bay Road at about 11 p.m. when a man walked in and pulled out a handgun and demanded money from the cash register.
A female clerk on duty thought the gun was a fake, refused to hand over the cash and got into a struggle with the suspect, who broke free and ran out the front door.
The clerk was not injured.
A witness saw the suspect flee into the store's parking lot, heading toward Vista View Drive.
Police Dog Services were called and managed to track the suspect to Vista View where the trail abruptly stopped.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, 5-foot-7, 150 pounds and wearing a ski mask, blue hoodie with stripes, jeans, work boots and gloves.
Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said complying, observing and calling 911 is the safest course of action in a robbery.
“Getting into a confrontation with someone who has a weapon, real or not, is dangerous and could result in serious personal injury," O'Brien said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.