VIDEO: Texas bank worker beats up would-be robber, booting him out door

A bank worker in Abilene, Texas, fought off a would-be robber, chasing him out of the bank empty-handed. Police awarded her a certificate of commendation for her bravery.

A bank worker in Abilene, Texas, fought off a would-be robber, chasing him out of the bank empty-handed. Police awarded her a certificate of commendation for her bravery.

An employee at a bank in Abilene, Texas, risked her own life to save her co-worker and prevent an early morning bank robbery.

First State Bank worker Jill Beatty, who has worked in the banking industry for almost 40 years, was ambushed last week by a masked man with a gun and was in the process of doing what the thief asked, KTAB-TV reported, when a co-worker showed up for work.

That’s when Beatty suddenly started fighting back and attacked the would-be robber.

Surveillance video shows the woman striking the thief and kicking him as he tries to fend her off, even hitting her in the head with his weapon at one point, but she prevailed, forcing him to flee empty-handed.

Beatty suffered only minor injuries in the scuffle and the other worker wasn't hurt at all, according to KTAB.

Police awarded Beatty a certificate of commendation for her bravery.

Authorities are still searching for the unsuccessful thief, who they believe has committed similar robberies over the past few years.