Butler police are seeking a man and woman suspected in a would-be knifepoint robbery last week.

Police on Monday said Kurtis Wentling, 29, and Lisa Preston, 43, are wanted in connection with the crime.

The suspects, who have no known addresses, are accused of trying to hold up 28-year-old Merritt Leasure of Portersville.

Leasure told police that he was walking on East North Street about 1 p.m. Friday when he noticed a man and woman in front of him.

He said the woman slowed down and “spoke nicely” to him while the other man continued walking until he was out of sight.

Police believe the woman’s role in the crime was to draw the alleged victim’s attention away from the other suspect, documents said.

Before Leasure knew it, police said, the other man reappeared.

He said the man pulled a knife with a 6-inch straight blade, threatened to stab him and demanded Leasure turn over his money.

Leasure, however, told police that he was able to grab a rock near landscaping and defended himself.

The two suspects took off. But before fleeing, Leasure told police he remembered the woman referring to the other man as “Kurt.”

Police were able to quickly identify Wentling and Preston as suspects based on the victim’s account and description of the would-be robbers.

Leasure later identified Wentling and Preston from a police photo lineup.

Police said they obtained arrest warrants for the suspects on charges of robbery and conspiracy.