Police investigate foiled attempted robbery at car wash in Rohnert Park

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Police in Rohnert Park are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred Friday at a car wash.

Officers responded Friday at 7:48 p.m. to the KaCees World of Water car wash at 320 Rohnert Park Expressway on a report a man had just attempted to rob the cashier by dropping an empty potato chip bag on the counter and telling the cashier to fill it with money.

Police said the suspect told the cashier he was armed with a handgun.

The suspect picked up the bag and indicated there was a gun inside it, but the cashier saw there was only a piece of cardboard in the bag, and the suspect was not armed, police said.

The suspect continued to demand money, but the cashier called out to another employee for assistance.

The second employee confronted the suspect, and the suspect fled the car wash empty-handed on foot, heading south on Redwood Drive.

The suspect was described as a black man, in his 30s or 40s, approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall and with a stocky build. He was wearing a black baseball hat, a black sweatshirt over a white T-shirt and dark pants. He was unshaven and had gray facial stubble.

Responding officers searched the area for the suspect, but he was not located.