The Metropolitan Police Department is on the hunt for a robbery suspect who's been hitting up local convenience stores with a unique, and potentially dangerous, method of attack. In a recent caper that took place on Columbia Road, the suspect whipped out a fire extinguisher and used it to disorient an employee before making off with the cash. This all went down at a store in the 1700 block, at the crack of 9:15 a.m. on April 18th, according to an advisory issued by the police department.

Desperation might be kicking into high gear for this thief, who, according to official reports, didn't hesitate to turn a safety device into a weapon. Cops say the perp blasted the contents of the fire extinguisher right at an employee, then dove into the cash register to grab the loot before fleeing the scene. You can't make this stuff up, but it's no laughing matter, especially for the workers getting caught in the fray.

Now, the MPD's Fourth District detectives are reaching out to the public, seeking any information leading to the nabbing of this fire extinguisher-wielding bandit. The community's got a role to play here, with officials urging witnesses or anyone with a lead to step forward. The prompt they’re giving is clear: if you’ve got the skinny on this character, it's time to drop a dime.

For those looking to check out the full advisory, the Metropolitan Police Department has the details posted on their website. There’s a snapshot of what the suspect looks like, so take a gander and see if you recognize the person who's got, D.C. convenience store employees looking over their shoulders. Yet they're not just asking for a set of eyeballs on this, MPD is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of this suspect—meaning there's not just civic duty at play, but a potential payday for some sharp-eyed citizen.

Anyone with a tip can call the police at 202-727-9099 or submit information anonymously through the department's tip line. The stakes are more than just a few stolen dollars, it's about keeping streets safe and store clerks out of harm's way. Remember, the next time you pop into your local spot for a pack of gum or a lottery ticket, keep those peepers peeled—you might just be the one to crack the case wide open.