BATH — Bath police have arrested a local man in connection with an armed robbery that took place Monday night.

Police Chief Michael W. Field said 23-year-old Scott J. Ryan was charged with robbery, a class B crime, following his arrest.

Witnesses told police that Ryan confronted a 30-year-old woman on Beacon Street, demanding that she pay him $20 – money he claims she owed him for a fish tank.

The victim said Ryan tried to grab her purse, knocking her to the ground and dragging her for a short distance.

The woman was able to free herself and ran into a home with Ryan in pursuit. Inside the home, Ryan allegedly wielded a knife and continued his demands that he be paid. The woman threw the money on the ground and left.

When police arrived, Officer Ted Raedel said he observed Ryan throw a knife into bushes. Ryan told Raedel that he used the knife to protect himself from a woman, who had threatened to assault him.

Ryan is free on $500 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on Oct. 9.