LA MESA (CNS) - A motel clerk in La Mesa stared down a gun-wielding robber, police said Saturday, when the clerk recognized the gun to be a BB-rifle, and two would-be robbers ran into the night without any loot.
According to La Mesa police report, officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery about 9:50 p.m. Friday at the Rodeway Inn, 4210 Spring Street, police said.
One suspect entered the hotel while the other stayed outside as a lookout, police said.
The suspect inside the hotel tried unsuccessfully to kick open the office door then stood in front of the check-in desk, pointed the weapon at the clerk and demanded money, police said.
The clerk realized the weapon was a BB gun and refused to hand over any cash, police said. The suspect demanded money for a second time with the same result then gave up and ran out the front door.
The clerk was not injured, police said.
The would-be robbers were last seen running west through the parking lot toward Gateside Road, police said.
Both suspects were described as black males in their mid-20s. One was about 6 feet- 1 inch tall weighing about 175 with a thin build. He wore black jeans, black shoes a black hooded sweatshirt which he pulled over his face during the robbery attempt. He was armed with a black BB gun with a brown handle.
The suspect who served as a lookout was about 6 feet tall and weighed about 185 pounds with a stocky build. He wore a red t-shirt and shorts with black shoes and white socks. He wrapped a purple towel around his face to conceal his identity.
La Mesa police asked anyone with information on the robbery attempt to call them at (619) 667-1400, or contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.