Store clerk fights off armed robber

FALL RIVER, MASS. (WPRI) - A Fall River convenience store clerk fought back against an armed gunman this week, and the entire ordeal was caught on surveillance.

Darmesh Patel, who has a been a clerk at his parent's business Riverside Farm for three years, says it's not the first time he's had to defend the store.

"The first time I was nervous, the second time not so much.  It is what it is," said Patel.

Patel showed the surveillance video capturing the attack only to Eyewitness News.

It shows the suspect walking in and demanding money.  That's when Patel picked up his bat.

"As I grab the bat, he pulls a gun out of his pocket and ran out the door," said Patel.

Patel says he tries to stay calm about attempted armed robberies because he doesn't plan on quitting anytime soon.

"I help my parents out.  I'd rather have me working the night shift than mom and dad working and dealing with it," said Patel.

Fall River Police are investigating the attempted robbery.  No arrests have been made.