SIDON, Lebanon: The southern coastal city of Sidon was shaken by the murder of a well-known store clerk early Tuesday morning. Residents blocked roads in anger over the killing and the city’s shops were closed for Mohammad al-Natout’s funeral in the afternoon.

Police apprehended 22-year-old Syrian Nasser Fares who they believe stabbed 67-year-old Natout inside his store at Iliya roundabout, on the eastern Sidon highway and stole $5,000 from the shop.

A group of about 500 men blocked the Beirut-Sidon road with burning tires and other items to protest the killing.

Sidon politicians loudly condemned the killing and called for the perpetrator to receive the death penalty.

“Today Sidon is very sad, a bereaved mother lost her son who was loving to all and loved by all,” said Sidon MP Bahia Hariri.

“The crime simultaneously targeted the life a of an honorable man and the life of a city seeking to preserve security and stability,” she said.

According to the security sources, Fares was apprehended by military intelligence agents from the Lebanese Army fewer than four hours after the crime, thanks to the cooperation of a taxi driver, who has since been rewarded.

The sources said that authorities seized $5,000 they believe Fares stole from the money-exchange shop.

Natout, who often kept his shop open well into the night, was killed after midnight and found by a customer.

A surveillance video shows Natout helping the perpetrator and then being stabbed repeatedly after the young man asked to transfer money to Syria.

The video also shows the perpetrator stealing money from one of the cash registers before fleeing.

A witness from across the road told the authorities they saw someone exit Natout’s store and get a taxi to Beirut.

Police tracked down the taxi and with help of the driver arrested Fares on the road to Syria from Aley.

Mourners turned out in large numbers for Natout’s funeral.

The funeral began at his home, where his wife Amal and five children embraced Natout. His body was then taken to the Bahaeddie Hariri Mosque and then to the crime scene, where mourners held photos of the victim and called for the death penalty for Fares.

Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Future Movement Secretary General Ahmad Hariri and other other public figures showed up for the shopkeeper who people described as a kind man that knew everyone.

Future Movement General Coordinator Nasser Hammoud also condemned the crime and called for the death penalty.

Some politicians called for increasing nighttime security in Sidon, which they say currently has minimal security presence.

Fares was set to act out the crime as part of the investigation at midday, but authorities in Sidon decided to postpone the re-enactment to avert a confrontation with protesters.

Security forces diverted traffic to the seaside road while trying to convince protesters to open the highway linking south Lebanon to the capital. The road was reopened Tuesday afternoon.