An employee at a Rainbow Foods in the Midway section of St. Paul was stabbed in the chest by an agitated customer, authorities said.

The attack on the 48-year-old worker at the Rainbow on University Avenue at Snelling Avenue occurred about noon Monday and was carried out by a 67-year-old St. Paul man, police said.

The employee was taken to Regions Hospital and was expected to recover from wounds inflicted with a pocket knife. The suspect was jailed on suspicion of aggravated assault, a felony. According to police:

The customer became angry while in the checkout lane and began yelling and swearing. The employee asked him to leave the store.

As the two were talking toward the exit, the customer stabbed the employee once in the chest. A store security officer tackled the suspect and held him until police arrived.

The suspect's criminal history in Minnesota includes serving prison time for felony theft.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482