Man arrested in Modesto liquor store robbery

A man arrested on suspicion of robbing a Modesto liquor store Sunday told police the items he allegedly stole were owed to him because he dropped a $5 bill there several years ago.

The suspect, 34-year-old Kirk Diard, went to Paul’s Liquor Mart in the 400 block of Coffee Road twice on Sunday, said Modesto police spokeswoman Heather Graves.

He first went into the store and took a soda Sunday afternoon. The clerk tried to stop him and threatened him with a bat, Graves said, but Diard left.

He returned to the store several hours later with a kitchen knife strapped to his forearm, Graves said. Diard later told officers he returned because he was angry the clerk had threatened him with the bat.

Diard allegedly threatened to kill the clerk if he called police and took several small bottles of liquor and lighters, Graves said.

The clerk did call police, however, who were outside when Diard tried to leave.

Diard told officers he dropped $5 in the store several years ago so he felt he deserved the items he was taking. When officers told Diard the items totaled less than $5, he said he thought he should be given the balance, Graves said.

Diard was arrested on suspicion of robbery and making criminal threats.

This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Man arrested in Modesto liquor store robbery."