A group of Timaru shoppers have "courageously" intervened in a violent robbery in Timaru pharmacy today - detaining the thief until police arrived.
At about 10:30am today, a 51-year-old man allegedly attempted to rob the Marchwiel Pharmacy in Selwyn St, Timaru.
Police have praised the actions of several people in the pharmacy who apprehended the offender during the attempted robbery.
"The members of the public who came to the assistance of the frightened pharmacy staff acted courageously,'' Sergeant Kevin McErlain said.
"In general we don't encourage people to take unnecessary risks but we appreciate in this instance they acted instinctively to detain the offender until we got there."
