Man robs store with sword, bystander hurt

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - When a man tried to rob a Buffalo gas station using a sword, the clerk fought back, and a Good Samaritan was wounded in the struggle.

Buffalo Police Spokesman Mike DeGeorge says the attempted robbery happened around 3 a.m. on Tuesday the Sunoco APlus Mart at Hertel and Colvin. The suspect walked in carrying a long, sharp sword and demanded money from the clerk. The attacker then tried to bolt, but a bystander said, "Not so fast."

"At that point, the suspect confronted another individual in the parking lot where either some type of fight or jostling began between the two and the suspect ended up striking the individual with the sword in the head area," DeGeorge said.

That's when the store clerk came out with a baseball bat and hit the suspect with the sword in the shoulder, until he left the scene. The Good Samaritan was taken to ECMC, where he was treated and released.

Bartender Michael Kirwan said, "Hopefully they catch the guy before he hurts somebody."

Kirwan had just closed up his Mel's Tavern across the street about an hour before the 3 a.m. robbery.

"Thank God we have the police presence around here that we do. Hertel Avenue's a great street and it's doing well, so hopefully this doesn't deter anybody," Kirwan said.

News 4 has learned that surveillance cameras at the store and the police camera across the street caught images of the suspect.

DeGeorge described, "Heavy set, maybe 6'4", about 300 pounds, wearing a blue hoodie and a bandana."

Kirwan added, "I wish we had more [cameras] on the street, but I'm all for them."

Anyone with information is urged to call the Buffalo Police confidential tip line at 847-2255.