Takeaway owner ignores armed robber to calmly serve another customer

Video shows takeaway owner Said Ahmed ignoring a masked man and walking away

CCTV has been released showing the moment a takeaway owner stopped a would-be armed robber by ignoring him.

The video shows owner, Said Ahmed, finish serving a customer before walking away from the counter, causing the armed man to quickly leave.

The incident took place in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Mr Ahmed told the Guardian that “the man wanted to frighten me and I decided he couldn’t do that. I passed the customer his food because I wanted him to leave the shop and not be in any danger.”

He explained that he walked away to increase his survival chances: “I told myself, ‘If he shoots me at least my body will be further away, and the gun shot won’t be as serious as shooting me at close range in my heart or my head.’”

“My heart was beating quickly, I was scared, but I wasn’t going to show him that. That is why my nature is cool. I have been 20 years here and never seen any fighting. In Egypt it happens every day but in New Zealand I am calm because it is a safe country.”

Canterbury Police are investigating the incident.