Clerk: No weapon, no robbery

BRIDEWATER, Australia, June 22 (UPI) -- A man who busted into an Australian gas station and demanded money was told by the unimpressed clerk that no payments will be made to unarmed robbers.

Crown Prosecutor Jane Williams said John Newall, 27, was nearing the close of a four-day amphetamine binge when he walked into the United service station in Bridewater and exclaimed: "I want the money," The Mercury of Tasmania, Australia, reported Monday.

The clerk, however, was not impressed by the attempted robber, authorities said.

"You need a weapon," he said. "I have to fear for my life. You can't just have the money."

Newall managed to run off with $400 from the cash register after the clerk opened it for another customer, authorities said. He used the money to buy food at McDonald's and lost the rest on poker machines at a casino.

Newall was arrested the following day and was identified using surveillance video from the gas station.

Newall pleaded guilty to stealing and was sentenced to four months in jail. He is also serving jail sentences for unrelated offenses, The Mercury said.