TACOMA, Wash. -- A man who entered an upscale Tacoma restaurant and attempted to rob a group of people dining in a private seating area was foiled when a member of the group pulled a handgun on him, police told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Police said 36-year-old John Meys entered the Pacific Grill at about 8 p.m. on Monday, ordered a drink and put it on the tab of a group of doctors and representatives from pharmaceutical companies who were having a business meeting in a private room.

The man then entered the room and announced that he was robbing the group, who told police that at first they thought it was a joke until the man grabbed a diner's collar and tie, threatened him and demanded his money, police said.

"We all thought, this can't be real. Somebody out there is playing a joke on us, you know," said Dr. Charles Weatherby, who was present during the robbery.

After the victim handed Meys his wallet, restaurant surveillance video showed Meys, who was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, walk back into the main restaurant, briefly sit, and then walk back into the private room where he allegedly demanded more money.

Witnesses said when Meys re-entered the room, one of the doctors in the group, who asked to not be identified, pulled a handgun and ordered the robber to leave the restaurant.

"Before we knew it, (the doctor) pulls his gun out and told the guy, 'Get away, get out of this restaurant now.' The guy looked back and (the doctor) said, 'If you look back again, I'm going to shoot you,'" said Weatherby.

Surveillance video showed the armed doctor leading Meys through the restaurant at gunpoint.

Restaurant staff, who said they were suspicious about Meys' behavior, called authorities earlier and once Meys was outside, he was arrested by officers.

"Once he sat down and asked for some Mad Dog, that was a pretty good sign that something wasn't quite right with him," said Chip Venzone, general manager of the Pacific Grill.

Meys was arraigned Tuesday on seven counts of first-degree robbery and pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, Meys tore up paperwork handed to him by his attorney and said they had no meaning or basis in reality to him.

Meys is being taken to Western State Hospital for a mental competency hearing before his trial.

Police said Meys has a long history of domestic violence.