Quick thinking staff restrain would-be robber

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Steve Wescott: 
 
A 29-year-old man who entered a cycle store in Lower Hutt this afternoon demanding that the attendant open the till got more than he bargained for. 
 
The man entered the store on Queens Drive at 12.50pm, walking directly behind the counter and demanding that the staff member behind the counter open the till. 
 
The staff member refused to open the till and another staff member asked the man to leave the shop.  The man then punched this staff member. 
 
Fortunately the staff member was not injured and other members of staff quickly came to offer assistance and restrained the man. They then flagged down a passing police car. 
 
Police would like to commend the quick-thinking of the staff involved for their actions, which has enabled us to apprehend this man and hold him to account for his offending. 
 
The man was taken into custody and has been charged with demanding with menace and aggravated assault.  He is due to appear in Hutt District Court on 11 August 2018. 
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre.