Brothers tackle knife-wielding robber

A Hastings shopkeeper and his brother chased and caught a man with a butcher knife after he held up their takeaway shop yesterday morning.

The 52-year-old man walked into Babalas Takeaway Bakery and Dairy on Hastings' Omahu Road at about 7.40am and asked for a packet of cigarettes. When asked for payment, he pulled out the knife, grabbed the cigarettes and ran from the shop.

Constable Toni Leppien, of Hastings Police, said the pair chased the man for about half a block before grabbing him.

The robber was diasarmed and held until police arrived.

The man was to appear in Hastings District Court this morning, charged with aggravated robbery.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY