Police say an elderly Westbury man was hanging Christmas lights at his home Tuesday when he was forced to fend off a much younger attacker.

Reinaldo Herrera, 72, went inside his home to get more lights when police say 21-year-old Santos Zelaya followed him in and demanded his watch and cash. Herrera says he fought back when Zelaya, an alleged gang member, went for his favorite ring.

Herrera says Zelaya ordered him to hand over the ring at gunpoint. Police say the two struggled, knocking over a nativity scene and Christmas tree in the process. They say Herrera then chased the suspect out to the driveway and then down the street.

Authorities say Herrera?s own nephew hired Zelaya to rob him. The nephew, 47-year-old Jorge Duque, was allegedly waiting for Zelaya in a getaway car.

Herrera ripped off Zelaya's coat during the struggle. Police say that's how they were able to spot him quickly and arrest him.