COEUR d'ALENE - A Goodwill employee fought off an armed suspect who was trying to steal her purse containing the store's bank deposit Monday afternoon.

The woman sustained a red mark to her neck from a knife being held against her throat, according to a Coeur d'Alene police press release.

The victim was otherwise OK.

"She was understandably rattled," said Diane Galloway, Goodwill spokeswoman in Spokane.

Police said the employee left the Coeur d'Alene store, 1212 N. Fourth St., about 2 p.m. to make a bank deposit. She told police that as she was getting into her vehicle in the store parking lot she was attacked from behind.

The victim, who has worked with Goodwill since 2007, said a man grabbed her, put a knife to her throat and demanded her purse. She said they struggled over the purse and the suspect shoved her to the ground.

A witness came out of the store, and saw the altercation and shouted at the suspect, who fled. He ran south through the alley between Fourth and Fifth streets and was last seen near 11th Street and Foster Avenue, jumping a fence and running south.

The victim was able to hold onto her purse that contained the bank deposit, police said.

Galloway said the incident was a rare occurrence at the thrift store that sells primarily used items and offers employment and training programs, including for people with criminal backgrounds or disabilities.

"This just never happens. People don't think of a Goodwill store as a prime target, particularly for armed robbery," she said.

Sgt. Christie Wood, Coeur d'Alene police spokeswoman, said, it is possible the suspect was in the store and had knowledge the employee was about to make a deposit.

Goodwill will review its policies regarding all aspects that involve employees.

"Employee safety comes first," Galloway said.

Police said the suspect was described as a white male in his 30s, with black hair and about 6 feet tall. He was wearing a black hoodie with possibly silver writing on it with the hood pulled over his head, and blue jeans.