Shop staff in the US threw money at a man who wasn't robbing them.

Workers in the Five Star Snacks and More store in Waterloo, Iowa were so paranoid the shop would be targeted by robbers they threw a bag of cash at a customer who was just trying to shop.

Clerks in the convenience store - which has been robbed twice in recent months - were terrified when a man approached the kiosk with his hand in his pocket while mumbling at them.

The man - who was in fact just drunk - ignored the cash and stumbled out the store.

He was later arrested for public intoxication, disorderly behaviour and interference.