KEY POINTS:
An armed robber who tried to hold up a cheesecake store almost saw his plans turn to custard after the female owner untied herself, grabbed the gunman's pistol and tried to stop him driving off.
Police say a masked man wearing blue overalls entered the Papatoetoe Cheesecake Store just after 6pm on Friday.
The gunman ordered two women working there to the back of the East Tamaki Rd store. After getting a "substantial amount" of cash he tied the women up and threatened them with the pistol.
But one of the women managed to free herself and grabbed the weapon from the robber.
She chased him to his getaway car parked behind the rear door of M.J. Breen Panel Beaters.
As the robber climbed into the car, still carrying the cash, the woman tried to smash his windscreen with the pistol and he sped away.
Detective Sergeant Ian McGill said it was important people remained calm and followed instructions during a robbery as they never knew what might happen when someone had a gun.
Police would like to hear from anyone who has seen the getaway vehicle, which is described as an older style red Toyota Corolla hatchback or stationwagon.
* Anyone with information is asked to call Counties Manukau West CIB on (09) 295-0200.
