Would-be robbers 'overly prepared'

GOING NOWHERE: Security guard Herman Sakaria restrains two youths after a robbery. The photo was taken by a passerby.

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An alert security guard chased two thieves and sat on them until police arrived.

Herman Sakaria used his unusual restraint method after an attempted robbery on Tuesday.

The Whangaparaoa-based security guard was heading home when he saw two youths covering their car plates.

The Pride Security company director says the two 16-year-olds then put clear plastic bags over their faces, and socks over their shoes, before running into the Bay View Store in Stanmore Bay armed with steak knives.

"The boys had obviously been watching too many crime movies because they were overly prepared," he says.

Mr Sakaria parked behind their vehicle and approached the dairy, where police say one of the youths remained at the entrance while the other demanded cash.

But the male owner repelled the attacker and chased both youths out of his store, where Mr Sakaria intercepted them.

"I grabbed them, disarmed them and took them to the ground, restraining them until police arrived," he says.

A Korean man and woman came out after the youths.

"The woman started hitting them with a flyswat she was so angry," says Mr Sakaria.

By sheer coincidence Mr Sakaria says the mother of one of the youths turned up.

"The youth said: ‘Oh s#%t, there’s my mum’."

Rodney police are applauding Mr Sakaria’s quick thinking and actions.

"It was a ridiculous attempt," Mr Sakaria says. "The silly season really has started."

The youths were to appear in the North Shore District Court this week charged with assault with intent to rob, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

Police say the incident is a reminder for Rodney residents to batten down the hatches during the Christmas and holiday period to divert potential robberies and burglaries.

A newly released AA Insurance Home Security index survey interviewed more than 1500 people and found that 36 percent left their front or back door unlocked, 29 percent did not lock windows and 26 percent admitted to leaving spare keys in obvious places such as under doormats.

The survey also showed a 20 percent increase in burglary claims from August to October compared to last year.

"This is like leaving a welcome mat out for thieves," says AA Insurance Home Security deputy general manager Martin Fox.

"Obvious places around the household entrance are among the first places a thief will check before breaking into a home."