Bend Police officials are reminding people NOT to try to stop a fleeing robber.  The warning come on the heels of a case at the Shari's Restaurant in Bend that injured a waitress and a customer at the business.

 

Bend Police say it happened shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Shari's on Bend's north end of town.

 

The man used a crow bar to pry open a lottery machine in the back of the restaurant.  A waitress caught him during the process and so he pushed her down, and she screamed.

 

A customer heard the commotion and chased the robber outside where a fight started.  Both the customer and waitress receieved minor injuries.  The suspect was armed with the crow bar and swung it but missed the customer.

 

Sgt. Todd Fletcher with Bend Police says protecting a person is great, but going beyond that and trying to stop what is often a minor theft, is very dangerous.  

 

 

BITE "YOU DON'T KNOW IF SOMEONE IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE  OF DRUGS- ALCOHOL- PARANOIA- ADRENALINE- OFTEN THEIR INTENT IS TO GET AWAY AND NOT GET CAPTURED AND be TAKEN TO JAIL- AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THEY ARE OFTEN IN FLIGHT MODE."

 

Fletcher says in this case the suspect's tool could've easily turned into a deadly weapon. 

Witnesses say the man left in a dark blue Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows.  A female insides was described as being in her 20's or 30's, about 5 foot 8 and 120 pounds.

 

The man is described as being in his late 40's, a white male, with brownish or salt and pepper hair, about 175 to 250 pounds.  He was wearing prescription glasses, a tan coat, jeans and a dirty hat.