Armed 'Darth Vader' tries to rob Florida convenience store

Police said store employees fought off the would-be robber and he fled the scene

Police say the man eventually fled the store empty handed (Jacksonville Beach Police Department)

In a galaxy far, far away, one man thought it would be clever idea to hold up a local convenience store while wearing a Darth Vader mask.

That, at least, is the allegation confronting Jacob Mercer, 32, after he was detained by police in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, when surveillance captured an attempted hold-up.

One store employee, who gave his name as Ricardo, told First Coast News that a man had entered the store on Sunday evening while carrying a gun.

“We looked at each other for a couple of seconds - it was a little scary,” he said.

Police say Jacob Mercer tried to hold up the store (Jacksonville Beach Police Department)

Police said that a store employee hit Mr Mercer with a wine bottle. The suspect then ran out of the store.

Police said Mr Mercer was taken into custody shortly afterwards. No one else was injured.

“In all of my years of experience, it was something to look at. I’ll just say that,” said Police commander Mark Evans.