Apparently You CAN Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight: Sushi Chef's Knife Scares Off Would-Be Robber

Sushi chef Tetsuji Miwa's skills with a knife are well-known to the customers of Kamakura Japanese restaurant in Champaign, Illinois.

But his talents were on special display Tuesday night, when the chef thwarted a man brandishing a pellet gun in a robbery attempt.

Restaurant fights back. https://t.co/KBsB1injAt pic.twitter.com/FTU0XZhun4

— news_gazette (@news_gazette) January 1, 2015

The 23-year-old suspect, identified as Clayton Dial, entered the establishment, approached the cash register and pulled what looked like a pistol from his waistband, demanding cash from the hostess, the Champaign News-Gazette reported.

Miwa told the newspaper he noticed a frightened look on the hostess' face and heard the suspect say repeatedly: "Give me your money. Open the drawer."

That's when, the chef said, he grabbed his sushi knife and stepped toward the suspect.

"He saw the blade, got scared and started running," Miwa said.

Three members of the restaurant staff joined the sushi chef in foot pursuit of Clay. They reportedly caught him in the parking lot and pinned him until police arrived.

Miwa suffered a sprained ankle during the altercation and was using crutches, but was back behind the sushi bar.

Clay is currently in county jail on charges of attempted aggravated robbery, intimidation and aggravated battery. He is due in court Jan. 7.

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