A 21-year-old man is being hailed as a local hero for chasing away four armed robbers from his dairy shop on Saturday evening, September 5.
Manav Prasad of Kauri Park Superette at Beach Havens was manning his family-owned dairy shop Saturday evening, while his sister at the back of the shop when the two were attacked by four men.
Two of the men approached the cash counter while two entered the other side of the story to steal products.
"As soon as they entered, I knew they would try to jump over the counter for cash and tobacco products," Manav Prasad said.
Adrenaline rushed in the moment, Manav picked up the hockey stick from the bottom of the counter, which he keeps for security, and waved towards the masked men and shouted at them to leave the premises.
The robbers tried to intimidate Manav but he was successful in chasing them off the store while pointing his hockey stick towards them.
A screengrab from the CCTV footage of the robbery
"We have been attacked twice last February and it's frustrating the damage these miscreants do- and then we have to make an insurance claim, not to forget the trauma it leaves on our memories," Manav said.
Manav called the police and reported them of the incident who attended the scene of the incident earlier on Sunday morning.
Manav added that he contemplated the move (scaring the robbers with a hockey stick) once he calmed down.
Manav and his sister have their independent careers and help their parents with manning the dairy store during weekends and when possible.
Manav says he plans to install a smoke cannon and other alarm systems at the store to make the place more secure for himself and his parents.
National Party MP for Northcote Dan Bidois visited the dairy store earlier this morning and posted a photo on Facebook applauding Manav for his heroic actions.