Police are scouring the streets of St Agnes hunting for a man who tried to rob a local store, shocking its customers and staff who tried to stop him.
The manager of Nisa Stores, Allan Younger, 64, rugby tackled the man as he tried to steal cash from the store's safe at around 11.40 this morning.
Mr Younger fell on his face after trying to give chase saying the robber apologised before pushing him into a wall. Mr Younger struck a sink, ripping it off the wall and leaving him with bruised ribs.
The manager, who retires from his ten year post in 12 days, said: "I was in the office when I had a telephone call on the shop floor. It was a delivery order which I handed to the shop assistant and when I went back to the office just seconds later the man was trying to get into the safe.
"He turned and said sorry before leaping up and pushing me - he hit me with such force that I hit a sink on the wall and it fell off."
His attacker, believed to be in his 30s, and of medium, heavy build, fled the store pushing a young couple in the shop, teenager Lucy Frost and her boyfriend, Charlie Garland.
Speaking on her Facebook site Miss Frost, 19, a former Truro College student, said she was slammed into Pot Noodle and cans of tuna by the robber.
Her boyfriend tried to stop the man who fled along Trevaunance Road with the shop assistant, Dave Meadow giving chase.
Police, including dog handlers, were scouring the streets trying to locate the man who is described as white, 5ft 9in, with short cropped brown hair, wearing blue jeans, a grey hooded top with Russell written on the front and white shoes or trainers.
Mr Younger praised the customers and his staff saying they showed tremendous courage, adding: "We were all shaken up. In my years working here I have never had an attack like this. It's not what you expect in St Agnes."
"He was very fit and fast, but thankfully he left empty-handed. We're obviously going to be a lot more security conscious as a result of this."
He is now hoping his final 12 days in the store pass minus any drama, saying: "I am looking forward to having a holiday and having a quiet retirement."
Anyone with information can contact police calling 101 quoting crime reference 310.
