THE Kingsville shopkeeper who refused a knife-wielding robber’s demands for money by spraying him with insect repellent says it’s the third time something similar has happened.
“It happened three times, so this time, it’s okay,” the 48-year-old milk bar owner Vi Hoang said.
“The first and second time, I didn’t know how to deal with a robbery.
“They took all the money, and I just tried to run. They had the gun and they had the knife,” he said.
“Then I saw police on TV use capsicum spray on someone, and I thought it would be a good idea to keep the spray there.”
Recounting the latest incident, Mr Hoang said a man had approached his shop about 7.55pm on Sunday 24 February.
“I’m lucky that day I was behind the counter,” he said.
“I turned around and looked at him, and he turned away. Then he pulled down a balaclava.
“I could only see the two holes of his eyes and he pulled out a long knife,” Mr Hoang said.
“I know, he wants robbery on my shop. I turned around and took out the spray.
“He yelled at me, he wanted money, but I sprayed at him, I didn’t care.”
The robber then tried to get past the counter, but it was locked, Mr Hoang said.
“He kept yelling, saying he wanted the money. I kept spraying. It was like there was smoke everywhere,” he said.
“My little boy, he was in the backhouse. I think he saw because he called to my brother to help me,” Mr Hoang said.
“My brother ran to the shop and put the alarm on. I think it scared the robber and he ran away,” he said.
The pair trailed the robber and saw him climbing into a blue Holden Commodore sedan in nearby Bishop St.
They noted the car registration number and called the police.
But there may be safer ways to get crooks to buzz off.
Sergeant Creina O’Grady from Victoria Police said people had to be aware of their capabilities and that their actions could have serious consequences.
“We don’t advise people to tackle armed robbers. But every situation is different, and a person in that situation is the best judge of what their capabilities really are.
“But at the end of the day, you’ve got to remember that it’s only money … you have to realise that the action you take may have some very serious consequences,” she said.
“Perhaps what you see on television doesn’t really equate to what happens in real life,” Sgt O’Grady said.
