A knife-wielding robber emptied out the cash register of a Saanich health food store Friday evening. He then apologized profusely to the store clerk before fleeing.
Around 5:30 p.m., the man entered then quickly left the Health Essentials Supplements store at Gorge and Tillicum roads.
Returning a few minutes later, when all other customers had left, he approached the cashier and asked her for a specific vitamin.
After she retrieved the item, the man produced a large knife and demanded money from the cash register.
"He took everything – the change and all. But prior to leaving, he apologized no less than two or three times. He expressed his sorrow," Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen said.
The man ran off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
He is described as a thin Caucasian, 5'8" tall and in his late 20s or early 30s. He was wearing a black jacket, jeans, running shoes and a large red "Rastafarian-style" toque.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police at 250-475-4321.
kslavin@saanichnews.com