BRAZEN ATTACK
Horror moment masked thugs armed with AXE storm flower shop & attack owner who fights back with trolley full of plants
Watch the terrifying video above
THIS is the horrifying moment masked thugs armed with an axe storm a flower shop and attack the owner, who manages to fight back with a trolley.
The violent gang burst inside Ripe n Ready Florist & Garden at the Yew Tree Shopping Centre in Yardley, East Birmingham, at around 7.30am on Saturday.
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Darren MacKenzie and his partner Karen Minto were inside the shop preparing to open up when the men got inside and tried to take Darren’s Rolex watch.
Brandishing the axe, they demanded he hand over the watch he was wearing but Darren refused.
He tried to fight them off by pushing a trolley loaded up with plants into them but fell as they scuffled.
Karen attempted to protect him as he lay on the floor.
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The men fled in a beige BMW when they heard police sirens on the opposite side of Church Road.
Darren suffered a broken kneecap and bad bruising in the scuffle and was taken to Heartlands Hospital.
He was discharged at around 6pm the same day.
Despite the ordeal the pair were back at work on Sunday, saying they would not let the criminals win.
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Karen, 52, told the : "We are petrified. I keep getting flashbacks of how quickly it happened.
“We are at work at the moment but it's terrifying. We have wages to pay and have to open the shop."
I didn’t take my watch off for forty years - I was floored to learn it was worth more than a sports car
The pair had been getting ready for the day’s trading on Saturday morning along with Darren’s daughter Chantelle Taylor and her husband Matthew.
Karen said: "I was taking the plant trollies out to set them up for the day.
"I went inside to start making the flower bouquets up and I heard a commotion, a lot of shouting.
“When I looked up there were three masked men waving an axe around.
"I ran out and they were shouting to Darren 'give me your watch' but he said 'you're not having my watch'.
“Darren then pushed the trollies into the men to try to stop them getting to him.
"But they still came for him, Darren tried to run away but he fell on the floor. I was trying to push them away - I thought the axe was going to go into his back.
"They knocked me on to the ground as I tried to protect Darren.
We are petrified. I keep getting flashbacks of how quickly it happened
Karen Minot
“Darren got up and was trying to get into the cafe next door which we own but the door was locked. The staff were in the back and didn't hear.
"We were banging on the windows to call the police. They kicked him in the back.
“We then heard some sirens which weren't for us and on the opposite side of the road and they ran off in a beige BMW."
The cops arrived and Darren was taken to hospital with a broken kneecap and bruising.
The police have gained the CCTV footage and begun an investigation.
Karren added that Darren no longer wears his watch and has decided to get rid of it, adding that it was “not worth it”.
A spokesman from West Midlands Police said: "We’re investigating an attempted robbery that happened on Church Road in South Yardley, yesterday (Saturday 10 August).
"We’re at the early stages of our enquiries but have already secured CCTV footage and other important information.
"Anyone who can help us find the offenders should talk to us via Live Chat on our website quoting investigation number 20/745605/24.
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"Alternately, you can call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
"They will not ask for your name or trace your call and you may be entitled to a cash reward."
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