Deputies: Job offer dissuades robber

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VOLUSIA, Fla., March 9 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said a clerk at an adult video and novelties store talked an armed robber out of his crime by offering him a job.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said Cody Conner, 17, walked into the Cupid's Corner adult store Thursday in Volusia and pointed a silver revolver at the clerk, Cheryl Hunter, The Dayton Beach News-Journal reported Friday.

Hunter told deputies Conner demanded money and told her he needed it because his "family is sick."

Deputies said Hunter convinced Conner robbing the store wasn't worth his efforts and told him she would give him a job if he filled out an application.

Hunter said she called 911 twice during the 20-minute encounter, once while he was filling out the application and once when she went to the convenience store next door for a "drink."

Deputies said they searched for Conner at the address he provided on the application, but the residents there said he only lived there "on and off." He was later found walking and told deputies he tried to rob the store because he needed money to help his grandparents with their bills.

The sheriff's office said deputies were unable to retrieve the weapon, which Conner claimed was a BB gun.

Conner was arrested and charged with armed robbery.