A fast food worker had to defend himself with a bread knife after store robbed in East Vancouver

Vancouver Police are investigating a series of violent incidents that kept officers stretched to all corners of the city this weekend.

A 23 year old fast food worker had to defend himself with a bread knife after a man smashed the front door, jumped the counter, grabbed him by the neck, then stole the cash register during a Saturday afternoon robbery on Powell Street.

The victim, who was not seriously hurt, fled to a neighbouring business and asked a staff member to call 9-1-1.

The suspect fled with the till before police arrived, however investigators were able to track him to an apartment building near East Hastings Street and Campbell Avenue.

He was arrested for robbery and is awaiting his first court appearance.