He bolted after grabbing a handful of cash out of the till.

But brave Frith's Liquors employee Mr. Craig Talbot was not deterred from running after the `armed' robber.

Taking a chance the gun was not real, Mr. Talbot chased the thief out of the store and along York Street, a witness said.

He tackled him to the ground in an alley off Queen Street and was able to subdue him until Police arrived.

Officers handcuffed the man and led him away while a crowd of people, including visitors cheered.

Mr. Talbot suffered a scrape to his face in the scuffle. But he got back all the stolen cash.

He was also relieved to learn the man had been carrying an imitation firearm.

A 21-year-old Pembroke man has been arrested in connection with the theft, a Police spokesman said.

It happened about 4.20 p.

m. and an undisclosed amount of money was taken, Sgt. Roseanda Jones said.

Mr. Talbot was the only person in the store at the time.

An employee of Dowling's Cycles on York Street told how the thief had just left her shop.

"He wanted to rent a bike, but he changed his mind when I told him he needed to put down a deposit. The next thing I knew he was trying to rob the guy next door,'' she said.

Frith's owner Mr. William Frith said he and all the staff at the Hamilton branch were proud of Mr. Talbot for his actions.

"He's been with us a few years,'' Mr. Frith said. "He's a keen soldier. I think it was marvellous what he did -- it was a calculated risk on his part.''