A southeast Houston jewelry store was robbed Monday by a crook with a toy.

Police were called to the Lewis Jewelry store at 19335 Gulf Freeway at 1:35 p.m.

Houston police said a Lakeview police officer was working an extra job as a security officer at the store when the crime occurred.

Investigators said the robber pepper-sprayed the officer, pulled out a gun and demanded that the employees open the jewelry cases. Officials said the gun turned out to be a plastic toy.

Police said the off-duty officer fired her weapon at the suspect several times. It's not yet known if the suspect was wounded.

The robber escaped through a back door.