Man fends off pistol-toting robber in Christchurch

Day by day, New Zealand's robbery cases sees an ever-mounting high. A recent incident had occurred in Christchurch that created a sense of fear for retail store owners in the city. 

Police are investigating the aggravated robbery of the dairy store at Kidbrooke street, in Christchurch.

The incident occurred on Monday, July 8, about 7:35 a.m. when a man described as wearing black pants and a black jacket, face covered with a camouflage balaclava walked into the dairy store brandishing a pistol.

The offender demanded money from the store attendant and threatened him with his pistol.

The CCTV footage supplied by the Canterbury Police showed the store attendant being pushed and forced to enter a side room while the offender moved towards the counter trying to take cash.

While the offender tried to take the cash, he was apprehended by the store attendant pushing him towards the other corner of the cash counter- a hand fight ensued, and the store attendant wearing red jacket was seen shoving the offender to the ground. The store attendant then picked up a metal rod scaring the offender, who in-turn pushed the store attendant to the ground, climbed up on to the cash counter and then evaded the scene.

The early morning incident unfolded within forty seconds in which the store attendant suffered blows to his face and body, but the offender had to run away, what appeared to have returned empty-handed from the incident.

"He [the offender] assaulted the dairy owner, who was taken to hospital in a stable condition," a Police media release confirmed.

Police released CCTV footage on Monday evening and have appealed the public to come forward if they have any information.

“Anyone who recognises the man or has any information about the incident is urged to contact Detective Craig Lattimore at Christchurch Central Police on 03 363 7400 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,” Canterbury Police appealed.