Gas Station Attendant Fights Off Hatchet Wielding Bandit

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (March 7, 2008): A gas station attendant in Huntington Beach fought off a robber armed with a hatchet early Friday morning, suffering a small cut on his hand from the incident.
According to police, a man entered the Chevron gas station located at 8971 Adams Ave. at approximately 12:40 a.m. asking to buy cigarettes. However, the man then pulled out a hatchet and demanded money from the cash register.
 

The attendant, Solomon Wendemagegen, 47, initially complied, handing some money over before shifting into fight mode and struggling with the thief. Ultimately Wendemagegen was able to seize the hatchet.
 

The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of money and was last seen headed west on Adams in a small red compact, said police. He was described as being white, short with a thin build, clean-shaven, wearing a black hoodie sweat shirt and black gloves.
 

Mr. Wendemagegen declined going to the hospital for treatment of the cut on his hand.