NRI businessman in New Zealand foils robbery bid

Wellington: An Indian-origin businessman in New Zealand foiled a robbery attempt at his store when he wrestled the gun away from a masked man and chased him away, a media report said on Tuesday.

Rupan Patel was working alone at his convenience store in Hamilton town's Hukanui road when the incident took place, stuff.co.nz reported.

An armed man wearing a mask entered Patel's shop and ordered him to put all the money in a plastic bag.

While Patel was struggling to open the drawer containing money, the impatient offender tried to climb over the counter which gave the Indian a chance to grab him.

"He was holding onto me and we went flying down," Patel was quoted as saying.

The wrestling that ensued ended in Patel pulling the rifle from the man, who lost his mask and ran out of the store. The man jumped into a silver car, driven by another man, and sped away.

Patel suffered bruises and swelling to his hip and arm from the fall over the counter.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Mortimore of New Zealand Police said the offender may have used an air rifle.