Clerk Uses Chili Powder to Thwart Armed Robbery

A convenience store clerk used bravery -- and some chili powder -- to stop an armed robbery on Saturday night.

Stoneham Police arrested a Revere man the next morning for allegedly taking part in a botched robbery at C-Store convenience store on Main Street.

Brett R. Osgood, 25, of Revere, was arrested after an investigation and charged with:

• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Armed Robbery)

• Malicious or Wanton Destruction of Property

• Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon

• Witness Intimidation

According to the Police Department, Osgood went into the store late Saturday evening and bought a $2 scratch ticket. A short time later, the Revere man returned with another man, who was in his 40s. They attempted to cash the scratch ticket.

When the clerk opened the register, one of men showed a firearm and ordered the clerk to give him money.

The clerk refused and the second suspect hit the clerk several times in the face, but the clerk ran away and tried to call police.

Both suspects tried to open the drawer, but they were unsuccessful, which is when the clerk threw chili powder in the robbers’ faces. The men fled, but the clerk followed them and wrote down their license plate.

The license plate belonged to Osgood and the clerk gave a positive ID of Osgood.

Police are still seeking the second suspect, and the case remains under investigation.

“The clerk in this situation showed incredible bravery, but we would, of course, never recommend that someone try to fight off a robber who is pointing a gun at you,” Chief James McIntyre said. “We are pleased that no one was seriously hurt.”

Osgood will be arraigned in Woburn District Court later today.