A member of the public stopped an armed robber yesterday afternoon in what police are calling a "brave action by a community minded person".
Police do encourage people to always call 111 in the first instance, however.
Two armed men went into the Okaihau Liquor Store at 2.45pm yesterday, one armed with a stick with a nail in it, the other armed with a 20-30cm long blade knife.
The men had their faces covered, Kaikohe Police said.
"They have taken an unknown amount of cash and the till draw and left the scene," a police spokesperson said.