Police in Philadelphia say a man used a banana he swiped from a convenience store counter to simulate a gun while he robbed the place.

Police posted surveillance video of the hold-up reported in the East Parkside neighbourhood. The footage shows a man entering the corner grocery store. He waits in line and then takes a banana from the counter by the cash register.

The suspect then sticks the banana in a front pocket of his jumper and points it towards the cashier. Police say the man demanded money and cigarettes and made off with an undetermined amount of cash. The video shows him riding off on a bicycle.