Brave shop worker trapped machete-wielding robbers in his store during attempted robbery

Dramatic CCTV footage caught the moment one of the masked men demanded money from the till while threatening to stab the shopkeeper.

Ignoring the peril, the quick-thinking member of staff ran from behind the counter, grabbed two bottles of wine and smashed them on the floor, disorienting the robbers.

After quickly dashing to the entrance, he managed to leave the premises and close the door behind him, locking the pair inside.

Passers-by then ran over and joined in, pulling on the door handle to prevent their escape. One of the robbers then began using the machete to smash the reinforced glass of the door in an attempt to get away.

After faking a hostage situation, the suspects eventually managed to exit the building by climbing out through a bathroom window at the back of the property.

Now, an investigation has been launched by West Midlands Police into the incident.

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A police spokesperson said: "We were called just before 7pm on 18 April to reports of a disorder at a shop on Bearwood Road, Smethwick.

"A shop worker was threatened with a knife and offenders attempted to take items from the store.

"The shop worker along with members of the public attempted to lock the offenders in the store to prevent them from fleeing the scene.

“During this, the front door of the store was smashed. A boy, aged 17, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has since been bailed pending further enquiries."

Owner of the Taas Express Rajasingam Tharshiya, told The Telegraph: "These two lads came in with knives and started demanding money from my staff. He had the presence of mind to run from behind the counter and out of the door, one of them just beat him to the door and ran away.

"The other guy trapped inside started banging on the glass and the third man I believe was also with them – as they both escaped out of the bathroom window together. It’s almost like the man with the knife tries to take him as a fake hostage at one point to get my staff to try and open the door.

"Some other neighbours came to help pull the door shut – they were very brave as he smashed up the windows.

"The police arrived while they were still inside but were reluctant to go inside for some reason. At that point they squeezed out the bathroom window. It is very frightening this can happen and our worker was very shaken up but luckily unharmed."