A Wellington dairy worker armed himself with a cricket stump when confronted by a barefoot robber wielding a knife.
The man was working at Clive's Foodmarket in Newlands when a man came into the dairy and demanded money at knifepoint about 10.40am yesterday, Detective Sergeant Martin Todd said.
"The victim then grabbed a nearby cricket stump to defend himself. The offender fled, taking some cigarette products with him."
Mr Todd said it was lucky the victim was unhurt.
"Although not injured, it was a frightening experience for the victim, especially as a knife was involved. We hope that the public can assist in identifying the offender involved."
Mr Todd said witnesses saw the offender get into a green Nissan Navara ute, registration YD8691, stolen in Taupo last Wednesday.
It was used in one other known offence in the North Island since then.
The offender is described as a Maori man of average height and build, aged between 30 and 40, with bushy dark hair.
He was barefoot, wearing a black jacket, dark trousers and sunglasses with wide lenses and frames.
Police believed the other person in the ute was a woman.
She is described as a Maori of medium build, aged between 22 and 27, about 1.6m tall with long dark hair.
Mr Todd appealed for any witnesses to the robbery or any suspicious activity at the time to get in touch.
"We are also very interested in locating the stolen vehicle and its occupants. This vehicle could be anywhere in the North Island."
People should not approach the ute and should instead contact police.