Gloucester Gramps Totally Wails on Wannabe 7-11 Robber - With a Hammer

An aspiring convenience-store robber thought he found an easy target when he tried to rob a 7-Eleven while an old man was working the register during Tuesday's third shift.

But when the robber, 27-year-old Ricci Marshall Jr., leapt over the counter, 66-year-old Stephen Alpin came right back at him with a hammer and got him in a chokehold. A customer also helped out, but Alpin had Marshall well under control.

The owner of the convenience store said of his employee: "He was awesome, just awesome."

We have learned the lesson that, even if a person looks old, don't try it. Remember the grandpas who forcibly subdued a passenger who freaked out on a flight bound for Logan? Keep in mind they know they're getting older – they have something to prove and nothing to lose.

Marshall also isn't the brightest bulb. He'd just gotten out of jail and was still wearing his ID from the Middleton jail. Even though he managed to escape Alpin and his hammer, he took a dog with him to the robbery. The dog was left behind, so police just followed the dog right to where Marshall was staying.

All charges alleged until proven under law. WCSH of Maine has video.