The owners of an Indian takeaway shop thought they were going to die when a man allegedly shot them with an air pistol.

Moses Lincoln, 21, appeared at the Waitakere District Court yesterday charged with aggravated robbery, using an air pistol to commit an aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Shop owners Sumintra and Stephen Govinda said they had never seen a real gun before and believed the air pistol was the real deal.

"I'm scared after what happened, I don't want to come back here. I didn't sleep all night,'' Sumintra Govinda said.

Her husband said the incident made them fear for their safety.

''We're scared to be at the front counter, but we've got no choice. We opened this business three months ago and we need to survive,'' he said.

''If it was a real gun, I don't think me and my wife would be here today.''

According to court documents, police allege Lincoln kicked open the door to the Shivas Curry House, around 10.30pm on Tuesday, partially smashing it off its hinges.

Sumintra Govinda screamed out for help and as she did so, Lincoln allegedly hit her in the face before revealing the air pistol, which was hidden in his pants.

He allegedly shot her in the chest and attempted to grab her by the collar as she yelled for help.

When Stephen Govindra emerged from the kitchen, Lincoln allegedly held the pistol to his head and demanded he give him all the money in the shop - including the till.

Stephen Govindra then put the cash till, with $380 in it, in Lincoln's bag while the pistol was allegedly held to his head.

As he attempted to protect his head by raising his hands, Lincoln allegedly shot him in the arm.

Lincoln then allegedly ran from the shop, but was tripped by a customer and dropped the pistol. As he ran across the road, he ran straight into a police car and police gave chase.

He was arrested shortly after.

Neither of the Govindas were seriously injured, but both sustained bruising and tenderness as well as small welts.

Lincoln was denied bail and was remanded in custody until March 7.

- © Fairfax NZ News