An apparent would-be robber, who bummed a cigarette from an employee of an Ellicott City fast-food restaurant as the worker waited for the manager to open it yesterday morning, fired a shot through the restaurant's front door before fleeing with no money.

No one was hurt during the shooting at the Wendy's restaurant in the 9100 block of Old Annapolis Road, police said.

Sgt. Morris Carroll, spokesman for Howard County police, said the gunman, in a white lab coat, was standing by a pay telephone at the restaurant about 8: 30 a.m. when he asked an employee, who was waiting for the manager, for a cigarette.

The man returned to the pay phone. When the manager arrived several minutes later, the man rushed at the two employees, Carroll said.

The workers were able to enter the restaurant and lock the door. The man then pulled out a gun and fired a shot, shattering the door's glass, police said.

The man fled in a green car.

"It's so important if you see people standing outside work early in the morning to take precautions," Carroll said.

Pub Date: 6/13/98