Store employee hit with hatchet, stabbed during alleged robbery in the BC Interior

A 19-year-old man has been arrested for robbery on Monday after allegedly assaulting a store employee with a hatchet, the RCMP say.

The alleged attempted robbery happened on Sunday afternoon at a hardware store on Reid Street in Quesnel, the RCMP say.

A news release says staff tried to intervene and the man allegedly presented a hatchet and hit a staff member in the head.

<who> Photo Credit: KelownaNow file picture

The police say a physical struggle ensued before the suspect reportedly pulled a large knife and stabbed the employee in the arm and fled the store.

The employee was left with a laceration to his head and arm, the police say.

David Wesley, 19, was later identified as the suspect and arrested on Monday.

He is being held in custody pending a future court date.

Sgt. Clay Kronebusch does not recommend people confront others engaging in criminal behaviour like this.

“They can be unpredictable and often carry weapons,” he says in a news release.

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