Knotty Pine, 2 patrons robbed by solo gunman in west Toledo

11/13/2007

A man armed with a handgun yesterday robbed the Knotty Pine Cafe in West Toledo and two of its patrons, police said.

The man entered the bar, 5204 Lewis Ave., about 1:25 a.m., went to the restroom, and came out a minute later. He then refused a barmaid s offer to order something, and appeared to wait for two customers to finish playing pool, police said.

As soon as the game ended, the man pulled a handgun and ordered everyone to put their hands on the bar. He pointed the gun at the barmaid and told her to open the cash register.

After she complied and gave him all the money, the man grabbed some cash from the bar and took a purse and a wallet from two customers. He then ordered the victims into a restroom and told them to stay there for 10 minutes, threatening to kill them if they came out sooner, police said.

The three victims stayed in the restroom for five minutes, came out, and called 911. By that time, the robber was gone.