Police: Teen armed robbery suspect fled Rock Hill store as customers entered

A man tried to rob a Rock Hill convenience store at knifepoint Tuesday but ran from the store when more customers entered, according to Rock Hill Police.

Jacob Porter, 18, was charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, police say. He was placed in the Rock Hill city jail, where he was awaiting a bond hearing Wednesday morning.

Authorities said Porter entered the Circle K on the 1800 block of Celanese Road about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday and got a beer from a cooler. He approached the clerk and demanded money while pulling out a hunting knife.

The clerk told the teen, “Do you really want to do this? There are other people coming in who will be getting involved?” the report states. The suspect left the store on foot and ran into a witness, who provided officers a clothing description.

Porter was found walking on the 1400 block of Mt. Gallant Road, police said. When the officer told Porter to put his hands on his head, he noticed a long knife sticking out of the teen’s right pocket, the report states.

The victim later identified Porter as the suspect.

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Police: Teen armed robbery suspect fled Rock Hill store as customers entered."