Man uses banana to hold up Philadelphia store, rides away on bicycle with stolen loot (VIDEO)

A man armed with merely a banana managed to rob a convenience store in Philadelphia and got away with it, according to reports.

The suspect rode up to the East Parkside grocery store on his bicycle and walked in. He held some bills in his hand to appear as a regular customer. As he got closer to the cash register, he grabbed a banana and put it in his pocket. He then held the banana in a way to mimic a gun and pointed it at the cashier, according to a security surveillance camera.

After taking an undetermined amount of money and cigarettes, the suspect fled on a bicycle and was last seen on 40th Street towards Wyalusing Avenue.

"When the suspect approached the counter he had his right hand in his hooded sweatshirt acting as if he had a handgun in his pocket demanding money and cigarettes. After taking an undetermined amount of money the suspect fled on a bicycle and was last seen on 40th Street towards Wyalusing Avenue.

"Upon viewing the store surveillance video, it was determined that the suspect picked up a banana from the counter and placed it inside his sweatshirt simulating it as a weapon."

This is not the first time that a banana has been used as a gun in Philadelphia.

Four years ago a 52 year old man was given a lengthy jail sentence for sticking up a bank with what was described as a rotten banana.