ST. CHARLES • A manhunt is under way for a man who tried to rob a dry cleaning shop at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened shortly after 1 p.m. at First Capitol Cleaners, 1025 First Capitol Drive.

According to St. Charles Police Lt. Mike Akers, a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt told the clerk he had a gun and demanded money. When he reached over the counter, the clerk stabbed the man in the back of the hand with a seam ripper instead of handing over cash.

The man ran off, and the clerk, a 45-year-old woman, chased him to the end of the block, Akers said.

The man is described as a white male, about 5-foot-8, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, gloves and large sunglasses. He had a black scarf covering his nose and mouth.

Police were searching in the air with a helicopter and on foot with a canine unit.

Check back later for updates on this breaking news story.