photo by: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Maurice Anthony Mahan

An employee at the Basil Leaf Cafe’ was the victim of an attempted armed robbery Sunday night, according to Lawrence police, but the man was able to record some of the incident on his phone, which aided in the suspect’s apprehension.

Police said on social media Monday that they were called to the restaurant at 801 Massachusetts St. just before midnight.

The employee told them he was out on the patio when a man with a long knife approached and demanded money. The employee grabbed a rock for self-defense, if needed, then pushed record on his phone and dialed 911.

The suspect took off, but officers recognized him and found him nearby. Officers said they located the weapon described by the victim in a trash can along the suspect’s route.

The suspect appeared to be under the influence and had a pipe used to smoke drugs on him, according to police.

The Douglas County Jail booking log indicates that a 54-year-old Lawrence man named Maurice Anthony Mahan was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of attempted aggravated robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mahan was convicted by a Douglas County jury in April 2024 of a felony count of making a criminal threat and a misdemeanor count of theft. According to a news release from then-Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez, those convictions stemmed from a June 21, 2023, incident in which Mahan put items in a suitcase while at Walmart, 3300 Iowa St., and left the store without paying. When a store employee told Mahan to stop, Mahan threatened to shoot the employee.