Clerk fired after chasing robber

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A Florida store clerk said he was suspended from work the day he chased a robber from his store and fired a few days later.

Jacksonville Police said Keith Ireland, 56, struggled with the robber during the late October incident at the Hess Market and chased the suspect as he fled with the cash register, The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union reported Friday.

Assistant State Attorney Rich Mantei said the partial license plate number taken down by Ireland led to the arrest of Jamie Butterman, 28, and the retrieval of the cash register containing $274.82.

Ireland said he was suspended the day of the incident and fired four days later. He said he was fired for "leaving the work area without permission."

Hess spokeswoman Lorrie Hecker said Ireland violated a number of safety rules, but she could not elaborate due to company policy.

Ireland, who has been out of work since losing his Hess job, said he would consider returning to the "evil company" if he was offered another position.

"It never occurred to me I would get fired," Ireland said.

Butterman remains in jail without bail on charges of armed robbery, felony fleeing and criminal mischief.