John Champion Allegedly Robs Store At Knifepoint, Gets Wheelchair Stuck During Getaway

Police in Florida arrested a disabled man whose alleged convenience store robbery ended when his wheelchair got stuck in the sand.

John Christopher Champion, 22, has been charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery.

According to Chiefland police, Champion went into the Chevron gas station on South Main Street in Chiefland Wednesday night, brandished a pocketknife and demanded cash from the register.

Champion taunted the 54-year-old clerk, the police report states, telling her to "push the panic button because the police would not arrest a handicapped person."

The clerk got into a struggle with Champion and allegedly stabbed him three times in the legs, police said, then a wounded Champion grabbed a 12-pack of beer and a roll of electrical tape, and fled the store.

When Chiefland police officer Justin Douglas arrived on the scene he found Champion behind the store. The suspect's wheelchair was stuck in the sand and he was drinking a Bud Light Lime, The Gainesville Sun reported.

According to the police report, Champion was "very intoxicated."

Police said Champion admitted to taking the items from the store, but denied robbing it. He also told police he threw the pocketknife into the woods, but officers were unable to locate the weapon.

After receiving medical treatment for his injuries, Champion was booked into the Levy County jail. Court documents do not list an attorney for Champion.

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