State police have arrested a suspect believed to be a shotgun-wielding man who was caught on camera trying to rob an upstate New York gas station while wearing a gorilla mask.
The robbery attempt was foiled by a clerk who fought back.
Investigators said Saturday that tips from the public led to the arrest of 26-year-old Christopher Dam of Hyde Park.
Dam was charged with first-degree attempted robbery, and second-degree criminal use of a firearm, police said. He is being held without bail pending a Dec. 23 court hearing.
There was no indication that Dam had obtained a lawyer who could comment on the charges.
Surveillance video of the robbery attempt at a gas station in the Dutchess County hamlet of Staatsburg shows the would-be robber bursting into the station at about 8 p.m. Monday.
The masked man can be seen pointing the gun at the clerk and tossing a plastic bag onto the counter. The clerk begins unloading the register into the bag, but goes after the suspect when he tries to reach into the register himself.
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The clerk can be seen rushing around the register and briefly grabbing hold of the robber, who tosses the shotgun up as though it were a shield. The suspect then runs out of the business and is briefly chased by the clerk.