Police: Language barrier helps to foil restaurant robbery

RUTLAND, Vermont (AP) — Police in Vermont say a man tried to rob a Chinese restaurant, but left with nothing when the employee he approached couldn’t understand his note or what he said.

The Rutland Herald reports Tyler Edwards, 28, of Fair Haven, pleaded not guilty to attempted larceny, assault and robbery.

Police say two brothers who own the China City restaurant said a man approached their mother, but she doesn’t speak English. Authorities say the man wore a sweatshirt and covered his face with a scarf. The woman reportedly didn’t understand what he said, except the word “cash.”

Police say he held his hand like it was a gun and threw a note on the counter demanding cash.

Edwards’ lawyer said police hadn’t shown actual or threatened force; A judge disagreed.