Man, 39, is arrested for attempted murder after being caught violently stabbing clerk

A man was arrested for attempted murder after he was caught on tape violently stabbing a gas station clerk who confronted him about shoplifting. 

Billy Joe Martin, 39, was arrested in Miami on Monday for the horrific attack against the Mobil gas station clerk that occurred when the suspect was caught stealing a beer. 

Martin became violent when the unidentified clerk watched the suspect slip the can into his pocket before asking, 'What did you put in your pocket?' according to WSVN.

Footage showed Martin behind the checkout stand attacking the clerk while plunging the knife directly at him.

The clerk can be seen in the footage attempting to fight off Martin as the suspect also reached for a pack of cigarettes in the struggle. 

After several seconds, the clerk was able to push Martin out from behind the counter and lock the store door to keep him inside until the police arrived. 

Meanwhile, the clerk safely locked himself behind the cash register area. 

When police arrived, Martin was handcuffed and taken into a patrol car where he then banged his head repeatedly into the plexiglass before spitting on an officer and shouting racial slurs, according to the news outlet.

Martin, who is from Arizona, was arrested on charges of attempted felony murder, robbery, burglary with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The store clerk was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition to be treated for his wounds. 

He suffered wounds to his torso and face.

Martin appeared in court on Tuesday with an orange jumpsuit and was instructed to stay 500 feet away from the clerk. 

It's unclear if he recently moved to Florida, but officials said he has only been in the state a few weeks.