Mar 16, 2018 1 min read

Washington police released a surveillance photograph of a man suspected of trying to rob the Sunoco station at 501 Jefferson Ave. at gunpoint in the early morning hours of March 9.

Detective Dan Rush said the suspect was at the gas pumps about 5 a.m. and was unable to get a pump to work, so he went inside the convenience store to have the pump activated.

The clerk asked him how much he wanted to put on the pump, and he responded he wanted to fill his tank, Rush said.

The clerk tried to explain in order to activate the pump without using a credit card, there had to be a set amount paid in advance.

Police said the would-be robber pulled a pistol from his pants and placed it on the counter, telling the clerk, “Give me gas, please.” He then noticed another customer in the store, grabbed his pistol and left. He then drove off in an older white car, going north on Jefferson.

Anyone with information or who recognizes the robber is asked to call city police at 724-223-4226.