Store owner throws chili powder at would-be robber

STONEHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- A store owner in Stoneham turned the tables on a would-be robber by throwing chili powder in the suspect’s face.

The armed bandit walked into the store dressed in black and wearing a mask. He then pointed a gun at Saadat Khan’s head.

“My theory is if I have to go this way, then I’ll go that way. I cannot decide how I’m going to die,” said Khan, store owner.

Khan walked behind the counter letting the serial robber think he was about to get the cash from the register. Instead, Khan punched the robber in the face and then threw chili powder at him.

“Yeah, I used [the chili powder] for my food,” said Khan. “So I just threw it on him, maybe he got something into his eyes.”

The would-be robber quickly fled. Khan ran after him, but eventually lost him.

It was the sixth store robbed by the same man in two weeks. The robber has struck stores in Melrose, Winchester and Woburn. This was the third heist in Stoneham.

“Most of the stores that he has hit -- easy access to highways or main roads. It’s usually different ways that he could flee the area,” said Det. Christopher Dalis, Stoneham Police Department.

Police say they have some good leads. Khan, meanwhile, says he hopes police find the serial robber soon.

“I only have one weapon; trust in God. That’s the biggest weapon of all,” Khan said. “I don’t have money, I don’t have anything. All I have is faith in God.”

Investigators believe the suspect is a local man based to his strike zone.