'Nothing's going to scare me': Kebab shop owner fights back armed thief
A brave kebab shop owner has fought off a gang of armed thieves who threatened him and his customers in southeast Melbourne.
CCTV footage captured father-of-two Jimmy Hammoud, 32, in action after he spied a man, armed with a knife, loitering in a carpark and threatening customers.
Mr Hammoud took matters into his own hands, grabbing a knife and charging at the man who retreated to his car.
The father-of-two jumps on the hood before the man makes a hasty retreat.
"I chose to jump on the car because I didn't want him to run away," Mr Hammoud said.
"I wanted to catch him."
Alarmingly, footage from earlier shows the man with two female accomplices waiting inside the car passing around a knife.
One of them leaves while the other raids a charity bin.
The 32-year-old father said the man returned twice – once armed with a hammer and later a gun.
But each time Mr Hammoud chased him off.
"He swore, he said, 'I'm going to kill you'," he said.
"He's not going to scare me if he's got a gun or a knife. Nothing's going to scare me."
The news reached regular customers and many were quick to praise the father.
"It's very brave. I give him credit for standing up for himself," one woman said.
Another man said, "he's awesome".
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Mrs Hammoud said her husband "is the best" but she wants him to be safe.
But the 32-year-old said he'd do it again.
"I love my work, (I have) lovely customers," he said. "(This is) the best country in the world."
Police say the car had stolen number plates and the man is known to authorities. He’s still on the run.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
