A downtown shoplifter who allegedly threatened a grocery store worker with a meat cleaver has been charged with robbery following a Vancouver Police investigation.

The 23-year-old suspect was shopping at a Robson Street grocery store on Monday morning when a staff member noticed he wasn’t wearing a mask. When the employee insisted the shopper mask up, the man allegedly pulled a knife, threatened the worker, then left the store without paying for his groceries.

“Because the victim called police right away, VPD officers were able to respond quickly and arrest the suspect, who was trying to leave in a taxi,” said Sgt. Steve Addison. “The stolen goods were returned to the store and the suspect was taken to jail. Fortunately, nobody was physically hurt.”

Cody Echlin was charged with one count of robbery and released on bail.