HAVERHILL — A 22-year-old Lawrence man told the cashier at White Hen Pantry at 6 River St. that he wanted money from the register and that he had a gun. But the clerk said: Prove it.

The man got flustered, fled across the railroad bridge to Bradford, but was caught in the woods along the river's edge by police shortly after.

Adam Alsarabi, 22, of 199 Newbury St., Lawrence, entered the White Hen about 12:45 a.m. this morning, got a drink, and approached the counter as if to pay.

That's when he told the clerk to give him money and that he had a gun, police said.

The clerk replied that he could have the money, but to first show the gun.

Instead, Alsarabi took off out the door and ran down Washington Street. The clerk saw him crossing the train bridge into Bradford, where he bolted into the woods, police said.

That's where police found him, attempting to hide in the underbrush. He was arrested without incident. A canine patrol was called in but not needed.

The clerk never saw a gun and police didn't find one on him when they arrested him.

He was arrested by Officer Brad Andrews and assisted by Officer Jason Pearl and several others.