A woman in her 80s out for a Christmas morning stroll in Westminster was threatened by a robber who pointed a gun at her and demanded her purse, police said.

But instead, she gave him something else: a dose of pepper spray.

The armed robber, still at large, was described by Westminster police as a Hispanic male in his 30s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a chiseled face and pointy nose, wearing a black beanie and jacket with white lettering, black pants and a backpack.

He was riding a teal-colored bicycle when he approached the woman out for her morning walk on Bushard Street and England, police said.

“Instead of exchanging joyful Christmas wishes, the suspect produced a handgun, pointed it at her and demanded her purse,” police said. “Not wanting to relinquish her purse, especially on Christmas, the victim took out her pepper spray and used it on the suspect. Luckily, the suspect did not shoot the victim and instead fled the scene on his bicycle.”

Responding officers could not locate the suspect and are asking for the public’s help identifying him. Anyone with information can contact 714-548-3767 or the WPD Detective Bureau at 714-548-3773.