Hay River convenience store clerk describes bungled armed robbery

An early-morning armed robbery in Hay River on Tuesday resulted in about $200 being stolen from the cash register, after the offender realized staff couldn't open the ATM machine.

"I've never been robbed by such an incompetent person," said clerk William Delorme, who has been working the night shift for 11 years.

The Rooster is the only 24-hour store in Hay River. At around 3 a.m. a man walked in wearing a ski mask and carrying a .22-calibre rifle with a rusted barrel.

"I was on the phone with my buddy, and I was telling him someone's just walked in with a rifle," Delorme said.

"I was telling him to call the cops I don't think he took me seriously."

Delorme recalls that the man lingered near the hot-food station for about five minutes, seemingly working up the nerve to go through with the robbery, before pointing the gun at him bolt hanging open and thus unable to fire and demanding that he open the ATM machine.

"When he finally realized I couldn't get in, [he demanded] money out of the till," said Delorme.

The man then fled with about $200 in bills, apparently on foot.

Police arrived half an hour later, according to Delorme. They have taken the surveillance tapes and are seeking the public's help in identifying the man, who they say is around 6' tall, of Aboriginal descent and was wearing blue jeans, a black hoodie, a ski-type mask and gloves.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hay River RCMP at 867-874-1111 orCrime Stoppersat1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online or by texting NWTNUTIPS plus your message to 274637.