Police say robber fled when NC clerks fought back

HICKORY, N.C. — A store clerk says a would-be robber ran when she and a co-worker threatened the knife-wielding man with a stun gun and hit him with pepper spray.

The Hickory Daily Record reported Wednesday that 54-year-old Pok Hui Barker was working at a convenience store counter Monday night when a man came in and crouched behind a customer. Barker told the customer to move and triggered a silent alarm. The masked man then thrust a butcher knife at her and demanded money.

Barker said the man ran when she aimed a stun gun at him. Another clerk chased him and doused him with pepper spray.

Barker said she has been robbed three times in three years, including once last month.

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