Man charged after botched Wal-Mart robbery

A Spotsylvania man was arrested Sunday after a police dog found him hiding in the woods following a botched robbery at a nearby Walmart, police said.

Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Harvey said the attempted robbery occurred about 10:30 a.m. at the Walmart at 10001 Southpoint Parkway.

An employee was leaving the cash room when the suspect walked up and handed him a note telling him to open the door so he could get the cash.

The employee refused and the suspect demanded that he open the door while implying that he had a weapon. The employee continued to refused and no weapon was ever displayed, Harvey said.

The employee then called the manager and loss prevention, and the suspect fled the store empty-handed. Deputies arrived and got a description of the suspect and the direction he was seen fleeing.

Deputy Delbert Myrick and his police dog tracked a scent and found the suspect in the woods between Walmart and Lowes. A BB pistol was found a short distance away.

Joshua David Rodriguez, 22, was charged with attempted robbery and placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.