Police in Vermont say a man tried to rob a Chinese restaurant, but left with nothing when the employee he approached couldn’t understand his note or what he said.

The Rutland Herald reports 28-year-old Tyler Edwards, of Fair Haven, Vermont, pleaded not guilty to attempted larceny, assault and robbery.

Police say two brothers who own the China City restaurant said a man approached their mother one Saturday, but she doesn’t speak English. Authorities say the man wore a sweatshirt and covered his face with a scarf. The woman reportedly didn’t understand what he said, except the word “cash.”

Police say he held his hand like it was a gun and threw a note on the counter demanding cash.

Edwards’ lawyer said police hadn’t shown actual or threatened force; A judge disagreed. Actions speak louder than words, after all.