A Spokane store clerk recently deterred a knife-wielding robber by simply refusing to give him anything.

The suspect, Jonas J. Henry, is in jail on assault and attempted robbery charges after a clerk at Qwik Stop, 3021 E. Wellesley Ave., said Henry threatened him with a pocket knife about 2:10 a.m. Friday and said “give me a pack of smokes or I’ll show you the gangsta (stuff),” according to court documents.

But Henry, 30, ran away empty handed when the clerk refused.

A Spokane police detective followed footsteps and spotted Henry, who fled into an apartment at 2907 E. Wabash Ave., where he was arrested.

Henry remains in Spokane County Jail on $10,000 bond after appearing in Superior Court on Wednesday.

Spokane police are looking for tips on a serial robber suspected of targeting Hillyard convenience stores.

The latest holdup occurred Friday when police say a man with a handgun stole money from the Qwik Stop, 3021 E. Wellesley Ave., about 12:45 a.m.  after pulling a black and white scarf over his face. He’s described as in his 20s with dark complexion, 6 feet tall and average build. He wore a black coat and blue jeans. 

The same gunman is believed to have robbed two other Hillyard stores three times late last month, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said today.

Surveillance photos from Conoco, 3501 E. Francis Ave., show a man in a blue hooded sweatshirt pointing a gun at a clerk and demanding cash on Oct. 24 about 7:45 p.m.

The same robber is believed to have struck Kwik Stop & Go, 4713 N. Crestline, the mornings of Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

Anyone with information on a suspect is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.