SAN BERNARDINO - A man tried to rob a sex shop in San Bernardino, California, last Wednesday (Dec 14), but two employees fought him off with dildos.

In a surveillance video clip from the shop Lotions & Lace, the robber, dressed in a hoodie with his face covered, is seen whipping out his gun, and even grabbing one of the employees at one point.

But they begin shouting at him and tossing sex toys at him instead, until he gives up, turns around and leaves the store.

The incident happened before closing time.

According to ABC 7, one of the employees, known only as Amy, said she was more irritated than frightened, as she was convinced the gun was a fake.

She told ABC 7: "With the gun, he walked in. I just thought he was trying to be funny, to scare us. But then I saw the gun and it was like, really? I don't have time for this."

The other employee was equally feisty, and called him a "coward" for trying to take advantage of two women.

Police released surveillance footage of the incident and images of the suspect while outside the store with his face exposed, hoping that someone recognises him and comes forward with information.

ABC 7 also reported San Bernardino police as recommending people not to confront armed robbers.