Clerk Saved by Phone Talks About Robbery

ROSWELL, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - A Roswell liquor store clerk who was robbed said Wednesday that a cell phone probably saved his life. Joseph Wescott had quite a story to tell.

The suspect walked in to the store and brandished a weapon before he demanded money. Investigators said Wescott's cell phone served as his shield.

The robbery happened at the Beverage Mart in Roswell and surveillance video captured the tense moments.

The 67-year-old Wescott was counting change when the suspect entered the store. The suspect pulled a knife and demanded money from Wescott.

The video showed the suspect take a few jabs at Wescott with the knife and hit him once. Police said Wescott's cell phone served as a shield and probably prevented him from being injured.

Wescott was able to back away and he pulled a gun. Wescott shot the suspect and then the suspect stumbled away.

"You never know what you will do if it does happen," said Wescott.

Wescott has worked in retail for over 30 years.

"Its something you always have in the back of your mind that it might happen," Wescott said. "When he stabbed me or tried to stab me, he hit my cell phone which was lucky for me."

Wescott said he was lucky that his son, Roswell Police Officer Jason Wescott, bought his father the cell phone and the gun. Together, the phone and the gun may have saved the elder Wescott's life.

'"When I saw the cell phone, I was glad that he put it in his top shirt pocket rather than his hip pocket," said Jason Wescott.

Joseph Wescott, who has worked at the liquor store for nine months, said the robbery is something he will never forget. "I've been told it's like slow motion and it was," said Wescott.

The suspect was arrested after seeking treatment at a local hospital for his gunshot wound.