Tables turned on Orewa thief

A man who tried to rob a dairy north of Auckland with a knife last night found the tables turned on him.

The robber presented a large kitchen knife to two shop operators on Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa about 5.50pm, demanding they get on the floor.

But in a scene reminiscent of the movie Crocodile Dundee, one of the retailers simply pulled out a much larger weapon of his own.

The shocked offender was chased out of the store, then down Hibiscus Coast Highway.

He was believed to have then run down an alley to Elizabeth St and been picked up by a waiting vehicle.

Waitemata police spokesman Kevin Loughlin would not say what weapon the retailer presented, saying police didn't encourage this type of action as there was a chance somebody could be seriously injured.

However, Mr Loughlin did say it was not a firearm.

The offender was described as a male Caucasian aged 15-20. He wore a distinctive grey and black chequered hooded top, and his lower face was covered by something like a scarf or bandana.

Anyone with information on the offender was asked to call police.

- NZPA