Richland County, SC (WLTX) -- A manager at the Family Dollar on Decker Boulevard in Columbia gave a man much more than change after he tried to take some cash.
"I was like 'I'm going to have to stop you one way or another,'" said Chanel Thomas. "So, I just started wailing at his head."
On July 28, the man came into the store and was making a purchase. Thomas said he was making small talk and was very polite.
"I asked him if he needed a bag," she said. "He picks up the bag and starts to open it saying 'Oh, I'll help you out with this.'"
The chivalry was short lived. According to Thomas, when she went to make the transaction he leaned over the counter and tried to grab the money in the drawer.
"When he pushed it open, his fist kind of hooked up and hit me in the chest and that was all she wrote," Thomas said.
That's when Thomas slapped and punched the suspect repeatedly. Thomas said she has taken self-defense class.
The suspect managed to get away with about $30. After he turned to leave, Thomas sent him off with a parting gift.
"I guess he dropped a dollar bill, came back after it, so that's when I took the Oreos he bought and threw it at his head," she said.
Thomas said the suspect took off running to the left and into an apartment complex behind the store. Despite the incident, Thomas said she won't be quitting any time soon.
"I'm not going to get it run me off," she said. "Might as well sit here and duke it out."
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or e-mail a tip in to Crimestoppers of the Midlands. You can also text information in by texting "TIPSC" plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Either way you choose, your identity will remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.