A man who covered his face and tried to swipe the cash box from the Hare Krishna lunch line on the University of Florida campus Thursday afternoon was quickly thwarted by a group of Krishna supporters, who police say cornered him until officers arrived.

UF Police Sgt. Tim Peck said his agency got a report at 12:55 p.m. that someone had taken the money box from the Krishna lunch table at the Plaza of the Americas — Krishnas have served lunch to students and UF community members for years.

Anthony Davila Stirling distracted the cashier, took the cash box and ran, but several people detained him until officers arrived, Peck said.

Stirling was taken to the Alachua County Jail and he's charged with grand theft and wearing a hood or mask during a crime, jail records show.