Ala. store owner stops robber with baseball bat

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Huntsville police say a man attempting to rob a convenience store fled when the owner grabbed a baseball bat to fight back.

Al.com reports (https://bit.ly/1ge4wW2 ) a man came into the Fast Stop store on Meridian Street demanding money Wednesday afternoon. The owner told police the would-be robber had his hand wrapped in a hooded sweatshirt, as if it was concealing a weapon.

Police say the owner grabbed a baseball bat and started swinging, forcing the man to flee the store. A witness saw him leave, called police and kept the suspect in sight until officers arrived.

Police say they arrested 20-year-old Juan Lee Banks and charged him with first-degree robbery. It was not immediately known if Banks had an attorney.