The Tim Hortons at Brooks Landing was the scene of a robbery attempt early Thursday.
Police said a woman entered the restaurant shortly after 1 a.m. and demanded money from the clerk behind the counter.
The employee saw what she believed was the handle of a gun sticking out of the woman’s pocket and retreated for safety. The suspect left when a second employee stepped in an ordered the woman out of the restaurant.
Police and a tracking dog arrived moments later and started searching for the suspect and a weapon. By 1:30 a.m., members tracked down and arrested the woman at Terminal Park Plaza.
Police did not find a weapon.
Stephanie McClay, 28, of Nanaimo appeared in Nanaimo provincial court later that day where she was charged with one count of robbery.
Const. Sherri Wade, Nanaimo RCMP spokeswoman, said because no one was injured, no money was taken and there was no weapon involved, McClay was released on a peace bond on the condition she can no longer go to any Tim Hortons in Nanaimo.
