A clerk at a local payday loan business came face-to-face with a would-be robber who had a handgun, a possible bomb, and a clown nose. The clerk was not harmed, and the thief left before getting any money.
Salisbury police are investigating the incident that occurred at 4:40 p.m. Monday at Ace Cash Express, 1529 West Innes St., at the corner of South Link Avenue beside Domino’s Pizza.
The female clerk told investigators a black man came into the business wearing black pants, a black baseball jersey with red stripes on the sleeves, an afro wig and a clown nose. He was about 6 feet tall and had a slim build.
The man gave the clerk a note and instructed her to read it. He displayed a handgun and placed a briefcase on the counter that she said contained what looked like a bomb. The “bomb” had a plastic bottle with green wires connected to it.
The clerk got scared and took off into the back of the business. The would-be robber yelled for her to come back to the counter. She did not, but instead called 911. The man grabbed the note, briefcase and gun and left the business.
Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said the police department has not had any other reports of a similar incident. Investigators can’t be certain if the gun or bomb were real. Police are asking anyone with information to call Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.