Robber recognizes clerk, gives thumbs up

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Authorities in Colorado said an alleged robber abandoned his plans when he recognized the clerk and decided to instead give a "thumbs up" and rob another store.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said the man was disguising his face with a bandana and the hood of his blue jacket when he walked into the Quick Save store in Wheat Ridge just before 12 p.m. Tuesday.

"[Expletive], I was going to rob this place but I know you." the sheriff's office quoted the suspect as saying to the clerk, "Do you know me?"

The clerk responded that he did not recognize the suspect, who said "Good" and exited the store with a "thumbs up" aimed at the worker.

The incident was recorded by a CCTV camera, the sheriff's office said.

"File this in the You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up File," the sheriff's office said on its Facebook page.

A suspect matching the same description robbed a 7-Eleven store in nearby Arvada shortly after the aborted crime, investigators said.

The sheriff's office has released the CCTV video and still images of the suspect in the hope he can be identified by members of the public.