54-year-old John Ellis was arrested and charged after robbing a market on the 1400 block of Polk Street Friday evening. Ellis allegedly waited in line for the cashier, and when the young woman behind the counter opened her cash drawer, he threw an unidentified chemical in her face and grabbed for the cash. He then ran out the door, where the store manager tried to stop him, and was pursued by a 41-year-old good samaritan who witnessed the chemical attack. Ellis continued running toward Polk and Clay where the 41-year-old ultimately grappled with him and Ellis allegedly then stabbed him in the chest with some scissors.
By now cops were coming, and they managed to arrest Ellis at Polk and Clay. He's charged with armed robbery, assault with a caustic chemical to injure or disfigure, and aggravated assault.
[Examiner]