An attempt at an armed robbery failed when the suspect met with resistance from the business owner.

Investigation into the crime led to the arrest of 28-year-old Stephen Joseph Kendrick after review of business surveillance video, said Capt. Chad Dorn with the Picayune Police Department. Kendrick was charged with attempted armed robbery.

Officers with the department received a call on Friday from the owner of a gas station located at the intersection of Beech Street and Jackson Landing Road. Witnesses stated that just after 10 p.m. Friday a man, later identified as Kendrick, entered the store and walked around for a short time before heading to the counter. Dorn said when Kendrick approached the counter he pulled a gun and demanded money from the register.

However, the owner of the business was on the premises and the clerk declined to comply with Kendrick’s request. Dorn said Kendrick demanded money from the register a second time, but the owner pulled his own gun. On facing the owner’s gun, Kendrick backed down from his robbery attempt, stating his gun was just a BB gun before handing it over to the store owner and fleeing the scene.

Picayune police officers and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department deputies were able to identify the suspect by reviewing the store’s surveillance video. Dorn said one of the deputies recognized the man in the video as Kendrick from previous dealings.

Saturday morning, just before 11, officers received a tip that Kendrick was staying with a girlfriend at a Nicholson area apartment. Dorn said Picayune officers went to the apartment, assisted by deputies with the Sheriff’s Department, and arrested Kendrick on the charge of attempted armed robbery.