CLEVELAND, Ohio— A masked robber jumped the counter of a grocery store and pummeled an employee before the employee fired a gun and scared him away, police say.

James Stuart Jr., 19, is charged with aggravated robbery. He was arrested by police after officers saw him run from the store. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday.

The incident happened about noon Monday at the Food Plus store on East 123rd Street and Dove Avenue in the city’s Union-Miles neighborhood. Stuart strolled into the store wearing a brown mask and jumped over the counter, according to police reports and court records.

He punched the 38-year-old employee at least six times leaving him bloodied and on the ground, according to police.

The two fought over the employee’s gun. The employee wrested the gun away and fired a single shot, which scared Stuart, police reports say. Stuart ran out of the building as officers arrived.

The officers ran after Stuart, ordered him to the ground at gunpoint and arrested him, police reports say.

The 38-year-old employee suffered several “major contusions” to his face and severe lacerations to his head, police reports and court records say. He was treated at University Hospitals.

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