Man who held up NY store while attached to oxygen tank dies in Md. accident after police chase

Oxygen-toting robber who fled NY dies in Md. crash

NEW YORK — Authorities say a man who robbed a New York City store while attached to an oxygen tank has died in a car accident in Maryland.

Police say the man, identified as 63-year-old Arthur Williams, of Gadsden, Ala., walked into a Turkish men’s wear store in Manhattan last Friday with a cane and breathing through a tube connected to the tank. Police say he fired three shots after demanding money, but fled empty-handed. No one was injured.

Officials say Williams made his way to Maryland where he robbed two hotels early Sunday.

A description of the robber went over police airwaves and a state trooper, who was following a drunken driver, realized he was pursuing the robber.

After a 2 1/2-mile chase, authorities say the robber ran off the road and crashed into a parked car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Information from: The New York Times, www.nytimes.com