A man was arrested after allegedly trying to steal money from a Girl Scout troop selling cookies outside a Charles County store.
James Ernest Wright, 48, of no fixed address, has been charged with attempted robbery, second-agree assault, theft and disorderly conduct in the incident that begin around 6 p.m. Sunday.
Police say Wright and a woman approached the Scouts in the 3200 block of Plaza Way in Waldorf.
The woman caused a disturbance by pushing the Girl Scouts' cookies off a display table, while Wright reached for the girls' money envelope, authorities said.
The scouts' troop leader grabbed the envelope, and Wright pushed her, but ultimately fled with the female accomplice, leaving the money behind, said authorities.
One scout's father -- a federal police officer -- was in the area and responded to the scene. He located the suspect nearby, and an arriving officer helped him detain Wright.
Witnesses told police both would-be robbers appeared to be intoxicated.
Police are still working to identify the female suspect.
