Virginia man uses samurai sword to rob pharmacy, say cops

(CBS/AP) - LYNCHBURG, VA - They say never bring a knife to a gun fight. You can, however, bring a sword to a robbery. Police in Virginia arrested a man yesterday for allegedly using a 3-foot-long samurai sword to rob a Lynchburg pharmacy.

The man, 27-year-old Edward Towler, is accused of trying to rob the store twice in the same day - once while using his sword.

Pharmacist Michael Robertson says a man tried to rob the pharmacy Wednesday morning, but Robertson told him they had set off an alarm and police were on their way, so the man fled.

Robertson says the man returned later that day in a lime-green raincoat, drew a samurai-style sword - also known as a katana - and got away with an undisclosed amount of narcotics. Towler was arrested later at his home.

Towler is charged with robbery, brandishing a weapon and attempted robbery.