Police charged a man with attempting to rob the Off Track Betting office in Newark.

Newark Police said Reginald Bracey, 51, walked into the OTB office on West Union Street Monday morning and demanded money while holding what appeared to be a hand gun.

Police said the person working at the office briefly struggled with Bracey before diverting his attention and escaping out the back door. The employee then asked someone at a business next door to call 911.

Authorities responded and said an officer saw someone matching the suspect’s description entering the Newark Public Library. Bracey was taken into police custody.

Police said Newark’s K-9 searched the area and recovered the clothing and mask worn by Bracey.

He was charged with first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree menacing.

Bracey is on parole for an armed robbery that happened in the Town of Sodus in 1990. Police said he has an extensive criminal history.