Cops: Hotel front-desk height foils robber

A would-be robber fled the scene of an attempted stickup in Bohemia just after midnight Wednesday when, police said, it turned out he was "too short" to climb over a desk at the hotel he was trying to rob.

Suffolk County police said the failed robbery attempt took place at 12:14 a.m. at the La Quinta Inn at Aero Road and Johnson Avenue. No one was injured in the attempted robbery.

Police said the would-be robber entered the hotel lobby, approached the front desk and demanded cash from the clerk -- saying he had a gun and threatening to shoot the clerk.

No gun was seen.

Police said that when the clerk didn't respond quickly enough, the assailant attempted to climb over the counter -- but was "too short" to get over the top of it. Police said the frustrated assailant then fled.

It was not immediately clear if the hotel had surveillance video of the incident.

Police said the investigation is continuing Wednesday.