Robbery Victim Swings Bicycle at Armed Gunman to Thwart Theft

A man out for a walk with a friend responded to an armed robber by swinging his bicycle at the would-be thief to chase him off.

Anne Arundel County Police were called to the 100 block of Ethel Drive in Laurel about 8:25 p.m. Monday on the report of an attempted robbery. The 33-year-old male victim told officers he was walking with a friend on the sidewalk along Ethel Drive and Route 198 when they were approached from behind by a suspect, who demanded money while holding a small black handgun at his waist.

The victim responded by swinging the bicycle that he had been pushing at the suspect. Both the suspect and the victim then repeatedly swung at each other without either of them striking the other, police said.

The suspect eventually fled on foot toward Old Line Avenue. The victim and his friend then went to an apartment to call police. Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

There were no reported injuries and no property taken in the attempt.

The suspect is described as a black man about 5’10”, 150 pounds with a slim build, wearing a black face mask and bandana, a black and gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.