State police have arrested a man who is accused of trying to rob a gas station in Mansfield after his credit card was declined and the store would not take his electronic benefits card.
Police responded to the Mobil gas station at 9 Stafford Road at 6:48 p.m. on Sunday when the panic alarm went off and the clerk said George Yonclas, 31, of Willimantic, who was dressed all in black, tried to buy cigarettes at 6:20 p.m., but his credit card was declined.
Then he tried to use an EBT card – an electronic benefits transfer card used for food assistance – but the store does not accept it, police said.
Yonclas, who was getting frustrated, demanded $60 or said he would rob the store, police said.
Then he reached into his jacket and threatened to rob the clerk, police said.
The clerk told police she thought Yonclas was reaching for a gun, so she hit the panic alarm button and said she was not going to give him any money.
When Yonclas walked away, heading south of Route 32, Willimantic police took him into custody.
Police said Yonclas did not have a weapon, but did try and open the door of the police cruiser to get away.
He was charged with criminal attempt to commit robbery in the first degree, second-degree breach of peace, third-degree criminal trespass, interfering with police and criminal attempt to escape from custody.
He was held on a $250,000 bond and is due in court today.
