A Lucky's Deli and Market store employee and customer subdued a robbery suspect Friday morning.
According to police, Johnnie Truffer, 23, entered the Fort Avenue store and jumped the counter trying to steal energy drinks and cigarettes.
The store employee and a customer were able to detain the suspect until police arrived around 9:40 a.m. Police said Truffer was armed with a knife.
Dana Kendrick works at the store and spoke to the clerk who detained Truffer with the help of a customer. Kendrick said Truffer's attempt isn't the first time thieves have put the business in their targets. It happens often enough that a log is kept on when police drop by to help keep an eye on things.
A sign at the door turns students away during certain hours.
"We've had problems with the kids coming in, grabbing drinks, grabbing cakes" before running out the door, Kendrick said.
Detectives are working to determine if Truffer is responsible for any other robberies in the area.
Truffer is being held at Central Booking. Online court records show Truffer was released from jail Feb. 10 after being charged with second degree assault.