A customer used a broom to fight off a knife-wielding suspect who tried to rob a store in Somerset Township, 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. Tuesday. He pulled a knife and demanded money.

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

The suspect fled to a waiting vehicle, but witnesses obtained the license plate number and gave it to state police.

Troopers found the car parked at a 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 the Somerset County Jail on $100,000 bail.