Tacoma police: Robber says he stole to support 2-year-old daughter

A man accused of robbing a Tacoma market told police he couldn’t find work so he stole to support his 2-year-old daughter.

The 22-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to the holdup of a market on South Washington Street.

Pierce County prosecutors allege the man was shopping at the market Wednesday but his credit card was declined. Moments later, he returned to the counter, pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded money, according to charging papers.

Police later determined the weapon was a BB gun.

The man did not get far. A store employee and witness chased him, tackled him and brought him back to the market to wait for officers.

Police noted that after the robbery the man was “calm and forthcoming” and said he was having trouble finding a job so he stole to support his daughter

The man pleaded not guilty to first-degree robbery and was ordered jailed in lieu of $15,000 bail.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Tacoma police: Robber says he stole to support 2-year-old daughter."