An Indian-origin businessman in Hamilton foiled a robbery attempt at his store when he wrestled a masked gunman and chased him away.
Indian Weekender spoke to the brave man and asked him what was going through his mind.
Rupan Patel was working alone at his convenience store in Hamilton town's Hukanui road when the incident took place. “It was a quiet day and I was sitting in the corner. Suddenly a man with a big gun ran into the store.”
The man entered Patel's shop and ordered him to put all the money in a bag. “The moment I saw him with a gun, only one thing was in my mind ‘I’ll do whatever you want’. I didn’t want to fight him because when it comes to safety, money doesn’t matter.”
Patel said while he was struggling to open the till containing money, the impatient offender first tried to get inside the counter from the entrance on the side and then tried to climb over the counter.
“I wanted to grab the gun and that was when I saw a chance,” says Patel.
Although what Patel did was a brave act it could have turned into an unfortunate incident. Patel says, “I knew that and that is why I didn’t want to fight with him. I was ready to give him the money or whatever he wanted. I didn’t want to risk my life.
“But when he climbed up the counter, I was sure that I can fight and be safe at the same time, considering the distance between the gun and me. I did it because I knew I could do it.
"He was holding onto me and we went flying down," Patel says.
The wrestling that ensued ended in Patel pulling the rifle from the man. The offender lost his mask and ran outside the store where his other mate was waiting for him in a silver-coloured car. He jumped into the car and it sped away.
Patel said that he has moved to Hamilton just three to four months back and has lived in Auckland before. Although his family was at home, they weren’t aware of what was happening in the store.
“They were a little scared to know about the incident, but now they are fine. This area, they say, is one of the safest and the neighbours say that such incidents have never happened in the area before. I have got good support from the neighbours.”
Patel suffered bruises and swelling on his hip and arm from the fall over the counter. Detective Sergeant Andrew Mortimore of New Zealand Police said the offender may have used an air rifle.
The community is proud of the bravery that Patel has shown. However, it is never encouraged to risk your life at any cost in an incident like this because life is more important than money or anything material. For now, however, Mr Patel, you are a hero!