A variety store clerk in Kitchener fought off a thief threatening him with a hammer.

It happened at the Stop 2 Shop on Highland Road West in Kitchener around 2 a.m. Saturday.

Police say a masked man went into the store with a hammer and he struggled with the employee.

The suspect then fled the store without stealing anything.

Police are now looking for the suspect and while only his eyes were visible through the mask, he is described as 6 feet tall with a solid build and brown hair.