Skeptical clerk foils armed robbery at Stateline

A man attempted to rob the Liberty Stop N Go at Stateline early Saturday morning but ran away after a skeptical clerk questioned whether his rifle was real and said police were on their way.

The man reportedly entered the business shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday, pointed a rifle at the clerk and demanded cash, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office news release. The clerk questioned whether the rifle was real and the man reportedly opened the action to show the ammunition inside.

The clerk then said that police were on their way and the man ran away, the news release said. A police K9 was used to track the man to a nearby home in Washington State. A search warrant was obtained but the man was not found. Deputies did find discarded clothing, including a face mask, as they were tracking the man, the news release said.

The man is described as white, about 5’8” to 5’11” tall with a stocky build. He reportedly moves slowly. He was wearing a green coat, black beanie, face mask and gloves.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 446-1300.