Young man threatened supermarket cashier with knife in failed robbery

Lường Văn Tiến allegedly pulled a knife on a supermarket cashier in Hanoi after returning to the store for a second purchase, then escaped with her phone when he failed to take the cash.

Police in Đại Mỗ ward said they arrested the 26-year-old Sơn La native on suspicion of robbery. The incident happened on the afternoon of Aug. 30, when Tiến entered a supermarket wearing a mask and bought a bottle of milk. He returned shortly afterward to buy an ice cream.

As the cashier opened the money tray, Tiến pulled a knife from his pocket and demanded the cash, threatening to kill her. She shut the tray and moved into a corner, but he jumped over the checkout counter and continued threatening her. Fearing he might be identified, he took the employee’s phone and left the store before riding away on a motorbike.

After receiving the report, Đại Mỗ police and the Hanoi criminal police organized several teams to trace the suspect’s movements. Officers later found that the motorbike used in the robbery had itself been stolen in an earlier case allegedly committed by Tiến. Local police described him as a drug user who often stayed away from home and worked as a wall painter in Hanoi.

Police arrested Tiến in Đồng Quan residential area, Lê Hồ ward, Ninh Bình province, nearly two days after beginning the search, while he was reportedly trying to flee.