Would-be robbers in SLO foiled by empty cash register, police say

San Luis Obispo police on Monday night were searching for two men who allegedly attempted to rob a downtown restaurant — but ended up running away once they saw the cash register was empty.

Employees at San Luis Fish & BBQ at 474 Marsh Street told police that two men approached the restaurant about 8:35 p.m., said Sgt. Chad Pfarr of the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

One man reportedly remained outside as a “lookout” while a second man entered the restaurant, brandished a black and silver semiautomatic handgun and demanded money, Pfarr said.

But when an employee opened the cash register to show the man there was no money in it, the two men fled the scene, Pfarr said.

Pfarr said employees waited about 10 minutes to call police; they debated whether to report the crime because nothing had been stolen.

No one at the restaurant was injured, Pfarr said.

SLO police officers scoured the downtown area in hopes of finding the would-be robbers, and they even got help from a CHP aircraft that searched from above, Pfarr said.

As of 10:30 p.m., the two men had not been located. Pfarr said the 10-minute delay in calling police may have prevented officers from finding them quickly.

The men were described as about 5 feet 4 and 5 feet 10 inches tall. Both were thin and wearing black clothing, Pfarr said.

Pfarr said the men’s faces were covered, and it wasn’t clear how old the men were or what ethnicities they were.

Anyone who may have information on this incident is encouraged to call SLO police at 805-781-7317.

This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 11:14 PM with the headline "Would-be robbers in SLO foiled by empty cash register, police say."