WADDINGON – An employee at the Kunoco grocery store on was bit and kicked by a robber wearing a black ski mask who ran off with about $400 Thursday night, according to St. Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies.

Deputies responded to the strong-arm robbery on NYS Hwy. 37 at about 8:20 p.m. They are asking anyone with information about the crime to call the sheriff’s office at 379-2222.

The male robber was wearing a black zip-up hoody and blue jeans, deputies said. He is described as between 5-foot 7-inches and 5-foot 10-inches tall with a thin build and about 140 to 160 pounds.

He made his way around the counter and attempted to steal money when he was confronted by a female store clerk who attempted to stop him, deputies said.

The two wrestled to the floor and the suspect was able to be get free and out from behind the counter, where the two again got into a physical fight, deputies said.

The robber bit her in the arm and then kicked her twice in the ribs but she let go of him and ran from the store, deputies said.

The store clerk was taken to the hospital by the Waddington Rescue Squad and was treated and released for the bite wound

Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by state police officers and the K-9 dog.