Customers foil McDonald's robbery

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Staff and customers at a McDonald's restaurant in Melbourne have tackled a gunman to the ground as he tried to rob the store this morning, Australian police say.

They pinned the man to the ground for 10 minutes until police arrived and arrested him at the fast food restaurant in Mulgrave.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the thief was wearing a balaclava and holding a gun when he stormed into the store and threatened staff just before 1am AEST (3am NZT).

The robber is believed to have pointed his weapon at staff before putting the gun on the counter and demanding the manager hand over cash, before telling two customers to hand over their wallets.

As he was leaning over the counter to stuff cash into a bag, the customers jumped on his back and managed to throw his gun behind the counter.

The staff and customers restrained a man until police arrived a short time later.

Police later charged a 20-year-old Heatherton man with three counts of armed robbery.

He was remanded to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.

- The Age