Offender panics after being hit by trolley

Four Square owner Harpreet Singh said he was grateful to members of the public who tried to stop the robber. Photo / Thinkstock

A Northland woman tried to foil a robbery by pushing a shopping trolley across the fleeing suspect's path as he sprinted out of Mangonui's Four Square with cash wrested from the till.

Her trolley hit him in the knee, causing him to panic and forget about his accomplices waiting in a getaway car in the loading zone just outside.

He managed to escape on foot and his associates picked him up later - but police have a good description of the alleged offender and the car. They also have CCTV footage which may identify him.

Constable Tim Murdock, of Mangonui police, said the offender reached across the store counter about 2.45pm on Wednesday and tried to grab some cash while the till drawer was open.

The shopkeeper slammed the drawer on the offender's hand and a struggle ensued, causing the till to fall on to the floor.

The offender grabbed a few banknotes and fled south on Waterfront Dr. The shopkeeper and members of the public gave chase but lost him around a corner.

Four Square owner Harpreet Singh said he was grateful to members of the public who tried to stop the robber.

One woman was unloading her shopping in the trolley bay next to the store entrance when she heard a commotion inside.

She saw a man running out the door with the shopkeeper in hot pursuit so pushed her trolley in front of him, hitting him in theknee.

He panicked and ran off down the waterfront, apparently forgetting his three accomplices waiting in a getaway car in the loading zone immediately outside the shop.

Mr Singh said his brother, Raju, chased the offender down the road but lost him when the getaway car picked him up. It was a red Nissan Maxima.

"We'd like to thank the woman with the trolley, and also members of the public who tried to chase him," Mr Singh said.

Mr Murdock said it appeared to be an opportunist crime with no weapon or threats involved.

The amount taken would be known once store takings were tallied up.

Police were examining CCTV footage.

The alleged offender was described as a male Maori aged 25-30 of solid build and about 6 feet (183cm) tall.

He was wearing a black woollen hat, blue pants and a cream jacket over a black hoodie.

* Call Mangonui police on (09) 406 2060 if you saw the man fleeing from the town's Four Square or if you know who he is.