FRESNO, Cali. - Police say a bystander came to the rescue after a robber threatened a Starbucks employee with a knife Wednesday afternoon.

According to police, suspect Ryan Flores walked into the cafe wielding a knife and a toy gun, demanding money from the barista.

New surveillance footage shows the moment a bystander, Cregg Jerri, intervened by grabbing a chair and slamming it over the would-be robber's back. A scuffle then ensued as both men fought over the knife. 

Police say Jerri was stabbed in the neck at one point but is expected to be OK. Authoriites are now hailing him as a hero.

"It's not something we recommend. In this case it was a good outcome. No one died as a result of this incident, but very well could have," Police Chief Jerry Dyer said. "But nonetheless he's a hero, there's no question."

Jerri managed to wrestle the knife away from Flores at one point and stabbed the suspect multiple times before he fled the scene.

Police later found Flores near a canal, where he admitted to the crime. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.