Rabbit cage used to fend off knife-wielding robber

A Kaitaia shopkeeper used a rabbit cage - with no rabbits in it, we should point out - to fend off a knife-wielding robber demanding legal highs.

Kaitaia tobacconist Raymond Jujnovich didn't have much to defend himself with when he was confronted by a knife-wielding robber so he made do with what was at hand - a rabbit cage.

Mr Jujnovich said he was taken by surprise early this morning when he looked up from reading a newspaper to see the man, armed with a fish filleting knife, standing behind the counter, demanding that he hand over ''some legals''.

The business is the Far North's only permitted retailer of legal synthetic drugs.

Surprise was quickly replaced by outrage, however.

Mr Jujnovich picked up an empty rabbit cage, which happened to be near the counter, to give himself some protection from the knife, then suggested - in strongly-worded terms - that the robber leave the premises.

The robber did so, at speed, running down the alleyway between the shop and the Kaitaia Hotel, disappearing in the direction of McDonald's.

Mr Jujnovich said he wished he had continued his pursuit, but ''he was fast''. It was all over in 10 or 15 seconds.

Police are looking for a teenage male Maori wearing track suit pants, a dark, long-sleeved top and a blue bandanna.