MIDDLETOWN — A 35-year-old Virginia man was arrested after an attempted robbery Saturday that included an exchange of gunfire with a clerk, authorities said.

Middletown police said that a suspect was armed when entering Village Wine and Spirit at 211 Middletown-Warwick Road. He was wearing a black mask and hood over his face at the time and pulled a black handgun and demanded that the two clerks open the register, spokesman Lt. Matthew Fox said.

One of the clerks pulled a weapon and an exchange of gunfire occurred, police said. The suspect then fled in a vehicle, police said.

Officers were called to the scene at approximately 8:05 p.m.

Through investigation, Michael Cherry was developed as a suspect. He was taken into custody Monday at a local hotel, police said. A search of his vehicle and hotel room recovered a 9mm pistol and clothing allegedly used during the incident, police said.

Mr. Cherry was charged with first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree reckless endangering, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by person prohibited and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony.

He was held at Howard R. Young Correctional Center after failing to post a $118,000 cash bond.