CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — On Wednesday, authorities responded to the Peking Chinese restaurant at 32 W. Main Street where a robbery was reportedly in progress. Upon arrival, officers found the suspect, identified as Ryan Armstrong, detained by the store manager inside the premises.
According to the caller, Armstrong allegedly entered the establishment and initially behaved like a normal customer. The employee recounted that Armstrong visited the bathroom before browsing the menu at the counter. However, his demeanor quickly changed when he allegedly attempted to steal the restaurant’s tip jar.
The manager described a brief struggle between herself and Armstrong over the tip jar, which contained $19.56. Armstrong purportedly abandoned the theft attempt and headed towards the exit, where he encountered another restaurant employee. The other employee claimed that Armstrong pushed him while attempting to flee.
Officers took Armstrong into custody at the scene without further incident. Armstrong was subsequently transported to Ross County Jail and charged with attempted robbery.