VIDEO: Clerk Throws Shoe At Shotgun-Wielding Bandit During Mini Mart Robbery

Updated on December 18, 2015 at 5:45 p.m.

HYDE PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A brave store clerk brought a robber to heel in Staatsburg.

He threw a shoe in a shotgun-wielding gunman's face.

The gunman entered the Route 9 Mini Mart Citgo Station at around 8 p.m. Tuesday night, New York State Police said. The robber pointed his gun at the clerk, demanding cash. The clerk started loading cash from the register into a plastic bag when the masked gunman reached over the counter to get into the register. That's when the clerk attacked.

After the clerk grabs the gunman's arm, video shows the bandit backing away from the counter and pointing his shotgun at the clerk. The clerk then hurled his shoe, hitting the gunman in the face.

Despite the danger, the clerk continued to attack the robber, forcing him out of the shop.

"He was wearing a full mask, full camouflage mask. The gun was obviously loaded because a round was discharged," Lt. Scott Hurley, New York State Police told CBS2's Lou Young.

Police said that once outside the gunman fired a round, hitting the ground, before driving off.

"Something inside, you can God tell me, or something stupid. That something tell me inside, 'grab him,'" Amrik Singh said.

And grab he did. The two began to grapple and the merchant kept the cash.

By the time the robber got his hands back on the gun, Mr. Singh had already taken cover. That's when the next surprise came. Sing was already on offense and not about to back down.

He launched a shoe at the robber which caught the bandit, and everyone else who saw the video, completely by surprise.

The robber ran out into the parking lot firing one blast from the gun down into the pacement to discourage pursuit.

"He fled in a dark colored sedan with yellow license plates," Lt. Hurely said.

Shoe versus shotgun, victory despite uneven odds. Being a man of peace, Singh is glad the footgear was all he had at his disposal.

"If some weapon for me have, maybe I shoot him, but I don't want to shoot him. I don't want it," Singh said.

State police said they were getting online tips in the search for the robber, and lots of praise for Amrik Singh from his customers and neighbors.

Anyone with any information is asked to call New York State Police at 845-876-4049 or 845-677-7400.