WATCH: Brave female shop worker tricks, pins armed robber
A shop assistant has been caught on camera bravely wrestling an armed thief to the ground in Melbourne.
The man allegedly threatened the woman with a knife, but she managed to fend off the attack.
Video shows the man waiting until the tobacconist shop is clear of customers then the man, armed with a kitchen knife, bursts through the shop doors, threatening the 28-year-old attendant.
Video shows she's alone behind the counter.
"He told me to just grab a bag and give him the big note money and I would be safe," the attendant, only known as Jenny, told 7 News.
While Jenny kept the man talking as she began to empty the till of cash, she had a sudden change of heart.
Instead of complying, she bravely chose to fight back.
"But I can tell he's like very nervous than me and although he waves the knife he was stepping backwards," she said.
Jenny then kicks the counter door at the thug before grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and pinning him to the ground.
Video shows the pair wrestle on the ground for some time before the man breaks free and flees.
"I tried to stop him but I found he's stronger than me so I just gave up. He grabbed the money and just ran away," Jenny said.
Although Jenny chased the alleged offender out of the store, he managed to get away.
A passer-by ran after the man and down an alley way but he had disappeared from sight.
Police are still hunting for the alleged offender, described as being a Caucasian man, in his early to mid-20s.
The man was wearing a black hoodie and white runners at the time of the alleged attack.
Police say while Jenny was incredibly lucky. They have warned others against taking on armed offenders.
"The female victim is very brave, but we do not ask that people put their safety first as well," Det. Snr. Const. Nicole Spinks said.
Jenny said she's "not a hero".
Jenny said she hopes that the thief leaving his finger prints on the door will help police in their search.
