Attempted robber loses 88 cents in bungled heist

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man who tried to rob a convenience store fled after bungling the heist, leaving 88 cents behind on the counter.

The Des Moines Register reported the man walked into the store Monday afternoon and put the change on the counter and pretended to buy smoking materials. When the clerk asked for identification, the man reached in his pockets and held up a handgun.

Police say the clerk stepped back and told the would-be robber she didn’t have the right keys and couldn’t give him money. He fled from the store when the clerk called police, leaving his 88 cents on the counter.

Police say the man’s face is visible on store video and they are working to identify him.

No one was injured.