BANGOR, Maine — A Holden man who pulled a knife on a clerk at the Bangor Inn and Suites early Tuesday in an attempted robbery was quickly overtaken by the clerk, according to Bangor police Sgt. Tim Cotten.
“The robbery ended as quickly as it began when the male desk clerk took immediate action to physically subdue the suspect and held him there until Bangor police officers arrived on scene,” Cotton said.
Scott Murray, 32, of Holden has bruises on his face in his jail intake photo. Murray was charged with Class A robbery.
A receptionist at the motel said Tuesday they were declining comment, and would not identify the employee or answer any questions about the incident, including whether the employee involved had any special self-defense training.
The hotel is located at 701 Hogan Road in Bangor. Murray walked in the doors at 1:15 a.m. and immediately displayed a knife and demanded money from the inn’s safe.
“As a result of the clerk’s actions, [Murray] is now incarcerated at the Penobscot County Jail,” Cotton said.
The police sergeant suggested employees follow their individual company policies when it comes to handling armed robberies.
Police and companies typically recommend that employees do as the robber requests to avoid being injured.
“We are very pleased with the outcome and appreciate the willingness of the individual to act quickly and decisively,” said Cotton, who also declined to answer if the clerk had any special training.
“We do not recommend this type of response to a robbery and urge workers to follow the policies and training put in place by their employer.”