East Ridge Police responded to a robbery on Thursday, at the New China Restaurant at 3710 Ringgold Road.
The unidentified suspect got into an argument with business employees after his debit card was declined while he was attempting to pay for food. The argument ended as the suspect grabbed a jar of tip money from the counter and attempted to flee.
A restaurant patron attempted to detain the suspect and prevent his escape. The suspect fought off the patron and was last seen traveling west on Ringgold Road in a red late 1990s model four-door Chevrolet Blazer. A witness said that it had a Georgia registration tag starting with “78.”
The patron did recover the tip jar and the money inside it. Minor injuries consistent with a brief altercation with the suspect were reported, but all parties involved declined treatment from medical first responders.
The suspect was described as a tall, black male of slender build. He appeared to be between 30 and 40. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a smiley face design, black undershirt, light-colored blue jeans, red underwear, and black shoes.
Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact the East Ridge Police Department.