Self-defence in the News - No. 8

Lack of help astounds petrol station hold-up hero


Lack of help astounds petrol station hold-up hero

By Vaimoana Tapaleao

Wednesday Nov 3, 2010

Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

A man who thwarted a suspected armed service station hold-up has been offered free coffee and a thank you from management.

And the company is standing by its policy that staff are under no circumstances to get involved with a violent customer, even when another customer is being attacked.

Scott McCullough had stopped at the BP station on State Highway 1, in Papakura, last Thursday around 6pm.

The 35-year-old was paying for his petrol when a woman yelling that she had a gun came inside and began threatening staff members.

With one hand in a sweatshirt pocket - where the alleged gun was hidden - she grabbed Mr McCullough.

The female robber then put Mr McCullough in a headlock before pointing what he believed was a weapon into his side.

"Three times she said: 'Give me the money or I will shoot him'," Mr McCullough said.

As he stood in a headlock he was shocked that the five staff members, who he said were all large and capable men, backed away and stood behind the counter looking at them.

"The cash register attendant backed away from the counter and didn't hand over the requested cash - whilst I was being held in a headlock with an alleged pistol forced into my stomach!

"As the attacker leaned towards the counter, I had no option but to grab the alleged pistol which was up [her] jumper ... and slam her hard up against the glass, knocking out a tooth."

When that happened, she surrendered and took her hand out of her pocket, saying she did not have a gun.

She then ran outside and made off in a getaway vehicle that was waiting for her.

A staff member managed to get the vehicle's registration, which helped police arrest a woman about 15 minutes later.

Mr McCullough said he could not believe that neither the staff nor members of the public looking from outside came to his aid.

"My main point is that in today's society, people are wary about helping out people in trouble."

Mr McCullough wrote to the BP New Zealand head office, calling for a review on the company policy that staff were not to deal to an aggressive customer.

In response he received a letter informing him that he would be getting coffee vouchers, while management yesterday thanked him for his brave actions.

BP general manager retail Frank van Hattum said although the attack was an unfortunate one, the company backed the actions of the staff members, saying they did everything right.

"All our staff are trained to under no circumstances engage with an aggressive customer.

"They have to stand back."

Mr van Hattum said the company had been in touch with Mr McCullough, as well as police, and were satisfied that everything had been sorted.

"We also thank the man because who knows what the situation would've been if he had not taken action against the woman.

"But we did ring police immediately and were satisfied that they were on the way."

A woman has been remanded on bail and is to appear in court next week.