Chinese takeaway boss sees off 'ninja'

A WOULD-be bandit, disguised like a ninja, bit off more than they could chew in a failed attempt to rob the Silver Palace Chinese Restaurant in Redbank Plains.

Would you tackle an armed robber? Click here to vote or leave a comment below

About 9.10 on Wednesday night, as manager James Le-On was closing up the store for the night, the robber, dressed in black from head to toe, including their face masked, walked through the restaurant door.

Wielding what Mr Le-On believed to be a small meat tenderiser, the would-be thief demanded money from the restaurant's till.

Mr Le-On, however, was prepared and pulled out a metal bar and yelled at the robber to get out of his store.

At the sight of Mr Le-On wielding a metal rod the thief turned tail and fled the Silver Palace empty handed.

"I don't think they expected me to fight back," he said.

"I wasn't really shocked, more just nervous. I've dealt with that sort of thing before."

In 2007 Mr Le-On was threatened by a man with a gun and a blood filled-syringe. Despite the repeat offences Mr Le-On said he wasn't worried about his safety in running the store.

"With the police here and after the fright they got, I don't think they'll be coming back again.

"This wasn't scary compared to the time the man threatened me with a syringe.

"I'm unfazed by it all now. You can't let them win."

He said staff at neighbouring stores saw the thief, along with an accomplice who didn't enter the Silver Palace, flee the scene and hide in Kruger State School.

The police quickly went to the scene but were unable to find the thieves who had fled the scene.

Police are continuing to investigate the attempted robbery.

Any witnesses or people with further information which could assist police with the attempted armed robbery should phone Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or see the website at crimestoppers.com.au.

Topics:  attempted robbery, redbank plains, silver palace