RAPID CITY, S.D.- People with street smarts say ‘don't bring a knife to a gun fight'.  But apparently if you are a 71-year-old man, you can  substitute an ice scraper for the gun.

A 71-year-old Rapid City man reportedly fended off a robber armed with a knife, early this morning in the 800 block of LeBlanc Street.

Police say the senior was scraping ice off his car when a man pulled out a knife and demanded money.  Rapid City Police Sergeant Pete Ragnone said the senior used his ice scraper to fend off the attacker who then fled into a nearby home where his girlfriend lived.

That set off another altercation between the suspect, 20-year-old Talon LaClaire, and his girlfriend.

By the time police showed up with a K-9 team, LaClaire had had enough, surrendering without another altercation.

LaClaire is charged with attempted first degree robbery for his run-in with the senior; and aggravated assault/domestic violence for the argument with his girlfriend.  A robbery conviction would net LeClaire up to 25 years in prison.   The assault charge is an additional 15 years.