Alexandria chef apprehends wannabe thief during bungled robbery
An Alexandria cafe owner has praised the quick actions of his staff after they managed to apprehend a thief on Sunday morning.
In the early hours of the morning, two male chefs were preparing to open Bitton Gourmet Café & Grocer on Copeland St, Alexandria when two men allegedly entered the venue and demanded cash from the register.
Upon discovering the register was empty the two men threatened the chefs with a bread knife and demanded they hand over their wallets and phones.
However one of the chefs, refusing to capitulate with his assailants, brandished a large kitchen knife and chased the men outside. While one of the men managed to escape the other was apprehended by the staff member and detained until police arrived.
Owner of Bitton Gourmet Café & Grocer David Bitton has applauded the actions of his staff.
“I was really impressed with how my staff responded and how well they handled the situation,” he said.
“They are all going to get something nice.”
Mr Bitton was surprised by the brazen incident claiming it was the first time in 15-years his cafe has been targeted by thieves.
“It all happened at about 5:50am on Sunday morning, the two chefs were in the kitchen setting up and putting furniture out and two young men just walked in,” he said.
“They had their hoods on demanded the chef take the money out of the till but because we hadn’t opened yet it was empty. They pushed the chefs into the kitchen and grabbed a butter knife and asked for their wallets and phones.
“But one of the chefs grabbed his own knife; the men obviously didn’t expect it and ran off scared for their lives.
“I have been here now for 15-years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened. It is such a great area.”
Officers from Redfern Local Area Command attended and arrested the man. The 25-year-old was taken to Redfern Police Station.
Police commenced a search for the second man, who had stolen cash, but he was unable to be located.
The man was charged with robbery with aggravation and assault with intent to rob.
Source: News Local 9th September 2015
