A chef has used a chair to fight off a would-be thief who was “lunging” at him with a machete as they tried to steal his car from a Melbourne restaurant.
Hari Soni was at the Mix Spice Restaurant on Lygon St, Brunswick East about 8pm on Tuesday when a man tried to steal his locked hatchback.
The would-be thief tried to get inside the car, which was parked behind the restaurant, when he was confronted by Mr Soni, who was holding a chair.
A thief has been scared off with a chair by a chef in Melbourne’s northeast. Picture: 9News
“He tried to attack me. I was confronting with the chair,” Mr Soni told 9News.
“He tried to attack me several times, he did several attempts.”
Other restaurant employees tried to fend off the thief using a metal broom, driving him back around the corner of the building.
The would-be thief was armed with a machete. Picture: 9News.
But he didn’t stand a chance against the chef, who came ready with a chair. Picture: 9News.
Police said the thief then pulled out a machete and began “lunging” at the chef.
Mr Soni said the incident was terrifying and he could not help but expect the worst.
“He took out the big machetes and he was trying to stab me,” he said.
“I was scared. I had a thought of my family, because if something happens to me, who going to look after them?”
The wannabe thief eventually took off and left the scene on foot.
Other employees used a metal broom to frighten off the wannabe thief. Picture: 9News..
Mr Soni said the incident was terrifying. Picture: 9News
Mr Soni said the incident left him “traumatised”.
“I was very stressed last night, I couldn’t sleep,” he said.
“What I did was for my family, for my business, for my customer, for the safety of the community.”
A manhunt is now under way to locate the would-be thief.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
