gun in waistband
© Getty ImagesThe man aprently tried to put his gun down his trousers.
A man has apparently shot himself in the penis by accident after allegedly robbing a hot dog restaurant.

Terrion Pouncy, 19, is recovering in hospital after the incident at the Original Maxwell Street Polish, near Halsted St, in Chicago, on Tuesday.

He had apparently tried to put his small-caliber pistol in his trousers after he stole money, a smartphone and wallet when he threatened two workers at around 6am, the Chicago Tribune reported.

But something went wrong as he ran from the takeaway and he ended up with a gunshot wound to the groin and thigh, court papers said.

He didn't manage to get far with the injuries and decided to phone emergency services a short time later and tell them he was shot, according to court documents.

Police did find a sweatshirt similar to the one the suspect was described as wearing.

It has not been revealed if a gun was retrieved but court papers added Pouncy had been seen throwing an object over a fence.

Police did find a sweatshirt similar to the one the suspect was described as wearing.

An employee, who suffered an unspecified injury, also retrieved his wallet from a location close to where the suspect allegedly shot himself, the report added.