A would-be hotel robber's plan was foiled because the suspect was apparently too short to climb over a desk.

The attempted stickup happened at La Quinta Inn at Aero Road and Johnson Avenue in Bohemia just after midnight.

Police say the would-be robber entered the hotel lobby, walked up to the front desk, and demanded cash while threatening to shoot the clerk. When the clerk refused, cops say the man tried to climb over the counter but was "too short" to get over the top of it -- that's when he ran away.

No one was hurt. Police are looking for the suspect.