We always thought an ax was an ax

CORD, Ark. - A couple thwarted a would-be robber by threatening him with a decorative ax and tearing off his mask before he fled their home, authorities said.

Fredrick Heyde, 25, and Beverly Robison, 26, were startled from sleep at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday because of a loud noise, authorities said. Heyde told police he saw a man with a handgun inside his home. The man pointed the gun at him and asked for money, authorities said.

Heyde told the intruder he only had a few dollars in change, which seemed to frustrate the man, police said.

Heyde's wife then grabbed a decorative ax from the wall and demanded he leave the home.

"While she had the ax pointed at the intruder, she was able to reach up and claw his mask off. That's when we got a good look at him," Heyde said.