Atascadero man slashed store clerk with a knife while stealing a bandanna, police say
An Atascadero man was arrested Wednesday after slashing a liquor store clerk’s hand with a knife when confronted about stealing a bandanna, according to the Atascadero Police Department.
Police were called to Chalk Mountain Liquor in the 9900 block of El Camino Real on Wednesday for a report of a robbery that had just occurred, a department news release said. There, they received a description of the suspect and his vehicle, the release said.
Officers determined that the suspect had stolen a bandanna from the business. When confronted by a store employee, he swung a large knife and cut the employee’s hand, causing a superficial wound, police said.
The wound did not require medical attention, the release said.
According to police, the suspect and his vehicle were located on Highway 101 near Las Tables Road, and members of the Atascadero Police Department, California Highway Patrol and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop.
Officers arrested Kyle Walls, 21, on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
He was being held Thursday at San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail.
Bandannas are commonly used as face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, though police did not mention a motive for the alleged robbery.
The incident is still under investigation, the release said.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 10:38 AM.
