Hilo residents scared off a masked man who was trying to rob a convenience store employee at knifepoint early Tuesday.

Shortly after midnight, police received a report of a woman yelling for assistance in the area of Leilani Street and Kanoelehua Avenue. Officers said a male suspect had attempted to rob the Minit Stop employee but fled after residents in the area responded to the 53-year-old woman’s calls for help.

According to Hawaii County police, the suspect demanded money before forcing the woman into her vehicle. He then entered the vehicle himself and forced her to drive from the store after brandishing a knife. After driving a short distance, the victim was able to get the attention of nearby residents.

The suspect then fled the scene on foot on Kalanikoa Street. Police said they recovered evidence left by the suspect and video surveillance from the store.

The woman was not injured.

The case is classified as a first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and kidnapping.

The suspect is described as in his late teens or early 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 150 pounds, with dark shoulder-length hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored long-sleeve shirt and long shorts.

Police ask anyone with any information about the incident or the suspect to contact Detective Tuckloy Aurello at 961-2385 or tuckloy.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov.