Clerk fends off stick-wielding robbers

A convenience store clerk foiled an attempted robbery early today, grabbing a stick one man was wielding as a weapon instead of handing over cash, Colorado Springs police spokesman Sgt. Steve Noblitt said.

Justin Runion and Robin Withers — both 18 and freshmen at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs — were arrested during a traffic stop in connection with the attempted robbery, which happened at 3:12 a.m. Tuesday at Western Convenience Store, 227 W. Fillmore St.

Police believe the two men — one armed with a large stick, the other with a large knife — walked into the convenience store and demanded money from the store’s clerk.

The woman, whose name was not released, grabbed the large stick and the two men fled empty-handed.

A University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer later pulled over the two men on Nevada Avenue north of Austin Bluffs after spotting their vehicle weaving between lanes. The clerk identified them as the robbery suspects, police said.

Runion and Withers are each being held on $3,000 bond in the El Paso County jail on suspicion of attempted aggravated robbery and conspiracy, both felonies. In addition, Withers was also booked on suspicion of attempted second degree assault, also a felony.

The two students have been banned from campus while the university determines if they will be suspended.