BOSTON -- An elderly woman came to the aid of a Malden store clerk in the middle of a robbery.

NewsCenter 5's Todd Kazakiewich reported Wednesday that the woman is seen on videotape chatting with the 7-Eleven clerk.

A man walked in to the store, went behind the counter and struggles with the cashier, police said.

The elderly customer grabbed a hand-held scanner and started swinging at the man, who grabbed some money and started to leave the store.

The woman takes one more swing at the man, who police identified as Michael McInnis, 34. He was arrested a short time later.

Court records show that he's been arraigned more than 50 times -- mostly for violent offenses.

"Certainly it is not something we recommend for anyone to do. However she displayed a little feistiness perhaps that you would have at that age upon seeing that. She is a regular customer who talks to the clerk. I think she took it a little personally," Malden Police Department Capt. Tom Swanson said.

The woman has not been identified. McInnis was held on $1,500 bail.