(09/10/07) BAY SHORE ? A mugger may have thought he had an easy target, but a 74-year-old Bay Shore man proved to be anything but a pushover.

Police said 32-year-old John McEvoy, of West Babylon, attempted to mug 74-year-old Bay Shore resident Bruce Ferraro outside the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore on Saturday. According to police, McEvoy demanded money from Ferraro and threatened him with a tire iron.

?[He said] ?I want your wallet old man,? and that?s what set me off,?? Ferraro said.

Instead of complying, police said Ferraro grabbed the tire iron from McEvoy, who then attempted to flee the scene. According to police, McEvoy ran into trouble when his vehicle encountered mechanical problems. Police said the suspect was later apprehended trying to flee on foot.

McEvoy is charged with first-degree robbery. As for Ferraro?s wallet, he said it?s still in his pocket.