A Tim Horton's employee threw a pot of hot coffee at a 14-year-old youth who allegedly walked into the Chatham coffee shop waving a knife and demanding money.

It happened around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday on Grand Avenue East.

Chatham-Kent police say the teen walked into the Tim Horton's waving a knife at the counter while demanding money.

“The store employee threw a hot pot of coffee towards the man, causing him to flee without any money,” says Const. Renee Cowell.

Police have charged the Chatham youth with robbery, dangerous weapons and wearing a disguise with intent. He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Police say no one was hurt.

Cowell says say the safest way to deal with such a situation would be to comply with demands, especially if weapons are involved.

“We'd like to take this time to remind all store employees that they should never engage in a physical altercation with an armed suspect,” she says. “Their actions and behaviour at the point can become very unpredictable."