A Rotorua shop owner is lucky to not have been injured when a woman trying to rob her store grabbed an axe to try and stop her leaving.
Police say a woman went into the store, on Amohau St, about 9.15am Saturday. She was holding a knife and demanded money from the store's owner.
Detective Matt McLeod said it was alleged the offender grabbed money out of the shop till.
As the offender was taking the money, the store owner, who is believed to be in her 50s, tried to leave to get help. The female robber allegedly grabbed one of the axes which the shop sells but stores behind the counter, waving it at the shop owner, Mr McLeod said.
"The owner grabbed it off her ... The lady was pretty lucky not to have been hurt," he said.
The shop owner then waved down passing motorists and two members of the public helped her to keep the offender in the shop until police arrived.
A 30-year-old woman was held in custody throughout the weekend and was expected to appear in the Rotorua District Court today on one charge of aggravated robbery.
Robbery attempt fails
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