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A butcher who helped catch an armed robber in west Auckland this morning says he just acted on instinct.
The 22-year-old butcher said he chased the knife-wielding robber and held him on the ground until police arrived.
"It was a spur of the moment thing, I didn't have time to think about it," he told NZPA.
The offender tried to rob King Dicks Liquor in Great North Road, Glen Eden, 15km southwest of downtown Auckland, about 7.55am.
The butcher, who did not want to be named, is a student from Indonesia, and had been working at nearby Sam's Butchery for three years.
He said nothing like this had ever happened to him before.
"A customer told me there was a lady being robbed across the street at the liquor store. So I went outside to have a look and I saw a lady with just her bra on arguing with a guy.
"I ran across the street and started chasing him. A few other guys joined in and we managed to catch up with him.
"We put him on the ground and held him there until police arrived," the butcher said.
But he played down suggestions that he was a hero.
"I'm glad I was there to help. I didn't even think about whether or not he was armed, as it all happened so quickly," he said.
Inspector Kerry Watson, of the police northern communications centre, confirmed the butcher saw what was happening and caught the robber.
Mr Watson said another member of the public helped hold the robber until police arrived. Nobody was injured.
"Police appreciate the actions of the two members of the public in coming to the aid of the female shop attendant," Mr Watson said.
There have been several liquor store robberies in South Auckland recently, including one where owner Navtaj Singh was shot and killed.
- NZPA
