A customer used a broom to fight off a knife-wielding suspect who tried to rob a store in Somerset Township last night, state police said.

Investigators said the suspect, Jarrad Tall, 32, of Somerset, entered the Dollar General Store on West Main Street around 7:40 p.m. yesterday. He pulled a knife and demanded money.

A male customer in the store at the time grabbed a broom and began striking the armed bandit.

The suspect fled to a waiting vehicle, but eyewitnesses obtained the license plate number and gave it to state police. The witness reported the occupant of the vehicle was seen throwing clothing from the car window.

Troopers found the car parked in the Roof Garden Trailer Park.

Mr. Tall was arrested just after midnight following a police investigation.

He was arraigned before District Judge Arthur Cook on robbery and related charges, and ordered held in county jail on $100,000 bail.