Story By: John Feng, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the moment a thief tries to rob a hardware store using a tiny fruit knife he had just bought there but the owner scares him away with two huge machetes.

The suspect surnamed Wei, aged 20, went on a series of muggings and robberies because he was deep in debt, according to police in Fengyuan District in Taiwan’s western city of Taichung.

Authorities say Wei stole a scooter in neighbouring Changhua County and robbed a corner shop of 3,870 TWD (95 GBP) before reaching the hardware business and buying the small knife for 50 TWD (1.2 GBP).

Picture Credits: AsiaWire

CCTV footage shows Wu leaving the shop but returning minutes later to attempt the robbery, pointing the knife at the shopkeeper, surnamed Wu.

Wu, however, picks up the two sheathed machetes used for farming on the table and proceeds to have a stand-off with the with would-be crook.

He reportedly shouted: “You want to fight?” and scared the robber away.

Wu recalled: “He demanded 2,000 TWD (50 GBP) from me, so I picked up the knives and faced off with him.

He added: “I was sticking prices on the blades at the time, so they were right there.”

Police with the Wengzi Precinct said that, after the failed robbery on 9th April, Wei went on a series of muggings which eventually resulted in his arrest.

He is being held for numerous charges including theft and drink-driving.