Moment hero shopkeeper springs across store to trap machete-wielding thugs before gang flees through bathroom window

THIS is the moment a shopkeeper sprang across a store to trap a machete-wielding thug before a gang fled the shop through a bathroom window.

A knifeman became trapped inside Taas Express in Smethwick, West Midlands after a shopkeeper managed to run out into the street and barricade the door.

A passer-by helped the shopkeeper stop the knifeman from breaking out of the shop after the incident on April 18.

The knifeman was caught on camera storming into the shop on April 18.

The shocking video shows him demanding “we’re going to stab you up, give me the f***ing money” while his pal begins helping himself to items from the shelves.

However, a quick-thinking staff member leaps around the counter – smashing wine on the floor in a bid to slow down the crooks – and out of the store before pulling the door tightly shut behind.

The balaclava-clad offender then proceeds to smash the door windows with his weapon while members of the public also help thwart his escape.

Another man trapped inside the store can be heard pleading: “Please, he’s going to get me, I have nothing to do with this, please brother let me out.”

Despite the glass shattering and the yob thrusting the weapon through the gaps, the men courageously cling on to the door and manage to hold it shut.

One passer-by in a motorbike helmet helps the worker pull the door shut while another grabs a chair to fend off the knifeman as he hacks at the glass.

Owner Rajasingam Tharshiya said one of the thugs managed to escape before the door was pulled to – and two others made their way out of a bathroom window.

West Midlands Police said a 17-year-old boy was later arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Shop owner Mr Tharshiya said: “These two lads came in with knives and started demanding money from my staff.

“He had the presence of mind to run from behind the counter and out of the door, one of them just beat him to the door and ran away.

“The other guy trapped inside started banging on the glass and the third man I believe was also with them – as they both escaped out of the bathroom window together.

“He acts like he is a customer asking to be let out, but he comes in first to check the coast is clear and sees there is only one person here before he calls them on his mobile phone.

“It’s almost like the man with the knife tries to take him as a fake hostage at one point to get my staff to try and open the door.

“Some other neighbours came to help pull the door shut – they were very brave as he smashed up the windows.

“The police arrived while they were still inside but were reluctant to go inside for some reason. At that point they squeezed out the bathroom window.

“It is very frightening this can happen and our worker was very shaken up but luckily unharmed.”

A police spokesperson said: “We were called just before 7pm on 18 April to reports of a disorder at a shop on Bearwood Road, Smethwick.

“A shop worker was threatened with a knife and offenders attempted to take items from the store.

“The shop worker along with members of the public attempted to lock the offenders in the store to prevent them from fleeing the scene.

“During this, the front door of the store was smashed.
“A boy, aged 17, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact us via Live Chat or call 101 quoting 20/419199/24.”