A Winchester man was charged with attempted robbery after he told a store clerk to empty the cash register drawer.

Archie Conner, 37, of 24 N. Burns Ave., was arrested Friday evening for attempted second-degree robbery about an hour after the incident at Family Dollar, 27 W. Broadway.

According to court records, Winchester Police were called to the store at 8:21 p.m. Friday. The employee at the front counter told officers a man was purchasing an item that evening. When she opened the register to make change, he told her to give her all the money.

“She said she didn’t have any money,” Winchester Police Capt. Harvey Craycraft said. “Then he said he was joking.”

The clerk, though, believed the threat was serious, Craycraft said.

Surveillance video from the store showed the suspect conversing with the cashier.

When located and interviewed by police later Friday evening, Conner told officers he made the statement but did it in a “joking” manner.

No money was taken from the store, Craycraft said.

Conner was released from jail on a $2,500 surety bond Monday morning. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 5 in Clark District Court.