Police investigate robbery at knifepoint at local store

Hot Springs police are investigating a shoplifting incident that reportedly escalated into an aggravated robbery late Monday at a local convenience store.

A clerk, 24, at the Valero, 1201 Central Ave., told police that shortly before 11:30 p.m. Monday a black male attempted to walk out of the store with a Red Bull energy drink without paying for it, Cpl. Joey Williams, the department’s public relations officer, said.

The clerk confronted the man, described as around 30 years old, around 5 feet, 7 inches tall, who suddenly pulled out a knife and threatened the clerk with it before fleeing the scene.

“So what would have been a misdemeanor is now a class Y felony,” Williams said. Class Y felonies are punishable by up to life in prison. Anyone with information about the incident or a possible suspect should call police at 321-6789.