Police say he entered a business on California Avenue Saturday at about 8:20 p.m. with full-size black pump shotgun and demanded money from an employee.
The employee grabbed the shotgun, and after a brief struggle, the suspect fled the scene on foot with no money or merchandise. The employee suffered minor injuries.
Police say the man is in his 20's, between 5 feet 2 and 5 feet 4 inches tall. He was wearing a blue beanie, a black patterned bandana, a gray hoodie, black gloves, black pants, and black slip-on shoes.
Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to call Santa Cruz police at (831) 420-5995, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.santacruzpolice.com.
(Bay City News contributed to this report)
