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There was little left for police to do when they arrived at the scene of a robbery yesterday - supermarket customers had already tackled, disarmed and pinned the gunman to the ground.
The gunman entered New World in Clendon just after 10am and allegedly threatened a checkout operator with a sawn-off rifle saying "open the till, open the till".
Foodstuffs strategy general manager Rob Chemaly said a male customer, who was standing at the checkout, put his own money down on the counter for the gunman, who picked it up before also delving into the cash drawer.
He then went to the express checkout and allegedly demanded more money.
Mr Chemaly said it was believed the customer who had been at the first checkout then positioned himself so that he could stop the gunman from leaving the store.
"Apparently the customer managed to walk around [the counter] and just as this guy walked past, tripped him, knocked him over and stopped him.
"At that point a couple of other customers walked in and helped him. With the assistance of a staff member they held him down."
Detective Sergeant Fa'a Va'aelua said police arrived to find the gunman already disarmed and pinned to the ground by the customers.
Mr Va'aelua said there was a bit of a struggle on the ground as the trapped gunman was trying to escape but the customers managed to keep him down.
He estimated the customers held down the gunman for around 10 minutes, actions which were commendable but also dangerous. Police did not encourage members of the public to take direct action during aggravated robberies.
Mr Va'aelua said the rifle had been modified. After having the firearm assessed by an expert, police established it wasn't loaded.
The stolen cash was recovered after allegedly being found "in bundles" on the gunman.
Mr Chemaly said Foodstuffs was grateful to the customers for their actions and hope to be able to meet the man who caught the gunman to say thank you in person.
The supermarket reopened for business yesterday afternoon, although staff involved in the drama were allowed to go home and offered counselling.
A 24-year-old Manukau man is due to appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with aggravated robbery. He could face more charges.
