Port Angeles — A Port Angeles man has been arrested after he allegedly lunged at a convenience store customer with a knife while wearing a mask.

It happened about 11:30 Friday morning at a store on the corner of 8th and “C” streets. Port Angeles police responded to a report that citizens were chasing a suspect that was wearing a mask and armed with a knife in the neighborhood east of Shane Park.

Deputy chief Jason Viada says the citizens gave police money the suspect had handed over during the chase.  Meantime officers found the suspect, 21-year-old Tommy Peterson, in a tent and arrested him for an unrelated warrant.

Viada says that’s when officers began to piece together what happened earlier.

He says Peterson was in the store near 8th and “C” streets wearing a mask and holding the knife in his hand. A citizen confronted the suspect, who lunged at the citizen and fled. The citizen gave chase, recovered the money, and turned it over to police.

Viada says it is possible that the suspect was preparing to rob the business. However, one version of events indicates that the suspect was trying to buy snacks with his own money while wearing a mask and armed with a knife.

Peterson was booked for the warrant and for lunging at the citizen with a knife.  The case remains under investigation. Peterson is expected to appear in court on Monday.