CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Police used bank records to track down a suspect who used a debit card to buy a soft drink during an alleged holdup at a Charleston convenience store.

Shawn Thomas Lester, 33, of Charleston, told the store manager Monday he had a gun and wanted all the money in the register, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.

The complaint says Lester got flustered when another customer entered the store and the manager told Lester to pay for the drink. Lester handed the clerk his debit card, then signed the receipt "John Doe'' before leaving.

Lester, who is charged with armed robbery, told police he was only joking when he said he had a gun and demanded money.