Winnipeg gas-bar clerk Satnam Singh wants nothing to do with an apologetic, would-be robber.

A 44-year-old man tried to rob Singh at his Keewatin Street store around 2 a.m. Wednesday morning.

When the robber left empty handed, Singh called police.

Then just as officers were leaving, the suspect came back to explain.

"'I'm sorry, I apologize. I need money. That's why I tried to rob,'' Singh said the hapless theft told him.

"So, I didn't listen to him [at all]. I opened my store's main door and I just waved my hand to police," Singh said.

The suspect is in police custody.