A 22-year-old suspect's attempts to rob a Camden County convenience store by allegedly threatening the owner with a meat cleaver were thwarted Tuesday when the shop owner went after him with a rubber mallet, police said Wednesday.

(Anton Prado PHOTOGRAPHY, ThinkSTock)
(Anton Prado PHOTOGRAPHY, ThinkSTock)
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According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, the suspect, Joseph Delozier, entered the D&D market on Woodlynne Avenue in Woodlynne Tuesday at about 9 a.m.. He approached the counter holding a meat cleaver, which he placed against the owner's neck, while demanding that the man hand over his cell phone.

"The victim put up his hands to block the blade and suffered minor cuts, but managed to flee the store otherwise unscathed," authorities said in a press release. "The suspect began to chase him, but instead returned to the cash register and removed the currency."

Once outside the store, the owner locked the door, with the suspect still inside. The owner got the attention of someone passing by, and asked the person to dial 911, police said.

Surveillance video obtained by police shows the suspect attempting to open the door of the established, but upon finding that it was locked, he proceeded to kick out a window in an attempt to escape, the press release states.

"As the robber climbed headfirst through the hole in the window, the store owner struck him in the head with a rubber mallet," authorities said. "The suspect fell to the ground, got back to his feet and began to run with the victim chasing after him. He was apprehended shortly thereafter by Woodlynne Police while attempting to flee through a nearby cemetery."

Authorities said Delozier has been charged with armed robbery and criminal mischief. In addition, he was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and "certain persons not to have weapons."

Delozier was arrested and transported to Camden County Jail. He is being held on  $125,000 bail, according to police.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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