El Cajon
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An attempt to rob an El Cajon thrift store Saturday evening was foiled when store employees discovered that the robbery suspect was armed with a plastic gun, El Cajon police said.
Police identified the suspect as Dennis Lee Patterson. Police said he entered Quality Thrift Store in the 300 block of West Main Street and pulled a gun from his pocket. The suspect then demanded money. The cashier--believing the gun was real--turned over $188.95, police said.
But before the suspect could flee, store employee Joseph Silvia wrestled him to the ground.
Patterson, a roofer who lives in the 600 block of South Johnson Street, was being held at the downtown County Jail on suspicion of armed robbery.
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