A Hilmar grocery clerk escaped serious injury after a man beat him with a baseball bat, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The suspect, identified as Timothy Morrison, 31, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. He was placed on a mental health hold following the incident, according to the sheriff’s department.

The assault was reported Monday at the Family Market at 7543 Lander Ave.

Morrison had been hanging out around the store for several days bothering the employees, with his behavior becoming more aggressive, according to the sheriff’s department.

On Monday Morrison allegedly broke one of the storefront’s windows.

The clerk grabbed a baseball bat to confront Morrison, but Morrison allegedly took the bat away and turned it on the clerk.

According to the  sheriff’s department, the clerk was struck multiple times but was not seriously injured. He did sustain cuts and bruises.

Several people came to the clerk’s aid and held Morrison at bay until sheriff’s deputies arrived.