Arizona man threatens store manager with Popsicle stick, police say

An Arizona man is accused of threatening a store manager with a Popsicle stick, authorities said.

Joseph Anthony Walters, 48, was charged with multiple counts of attempted robbery and criminal trespassing, KNXV reported.

According to Tempe police, Walters allegedly attempted to steal the cellphone of a customer at Gracie’s Thrift Store on Jan. 27, the television station reported. According to an arrest affidavit, when an assistant manager asked Walters to leave, Walters told the employee, “I’m going to shoot you in the head."

Walters then took a Popsicle stick out of his pocket, pointed it at the manager's head and lunged at him, KNXV reported. Walters did not make contact with the manager and fled from the store, the television station reported.

Tempe police later saw Walters jumping a fence in a nearby residential area and was found hiding in a shed, police said. Walters came out of the shed after he was bit by a police dog, KNXV reported.

According to police, Walters left a backpack at the store, KNXV reported. Police said they found used syringes and a glass pipe inside the backpack, the television station reported.

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