They ended up trapping one of the armed men inside the station that was quickly filling with smoke from an anti-burglary system.
"Well as we were driving past I saw the attendant getting chased out of the bp and get pushed over. We turned around after convincing the bro a robbery was happening. Went back and help the guy out. The bro shut the doors and we held the guy inside until cops arrived. Crazy morning to b honestly," wrote Paull.
Another man phoned police. Bob Smith wrote there were up to three men involved in the botched robbery with the others escaping in a car.
Adam North said he and Paull held the front door shut with the man trapped inside and waited for police to arrive.
"Actually it was me and my bro that held the offender inside until police arrived...there was only 1 man [inside] not 3 and armed with screwdriver!" posted North.
Paull wrote it was a stroke of good timing they spotted everything unfolding.
"If I hadn't been looking out the window as we were on the way to work we wouldn't have seen it happening."
West Auckland locals have quickly praised the men for their heroic action on social media.
Posted Kimmi Cameron:"Well done Adam North need more people like you to keep our communities safe:)"
"Thank you very much guys for keeping our community safe," posted Becky Walker.
Police were called to the robbery at BP Kumeu at 6.10am after two people - one aged 16 and armed with a screwdriver - tried to steal cigarettes and cash.
A 16-year-old male has been charged aggravated robbery, aggravated injury, wilful damage and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
Waitemata Police detective sergeant Megan Goldie today said they were still hunting for the other person who fled the scene in a stolen red 1994 Honda Civic, registration ABD201.
People with information were asked to call Waitemata Police on 09 839 0600 or anonymously on 0800 555 111.