Ulladulla newsagent Rob Doyle describes moment staff robbed at knifepoint

A south coast newsagent has decribed the terrifying moment a stocking-covered man thrust a long kitchen knife at his female co-worker’s back before taking off with the money.

An Ulladulla newsagent has detailed the harrowing moment he was robbed at knifepoint in what he described as a “very rare” attack in the quiet seaside town.

An unknown man, armed with a 30cm kitchen knife and with his face covered by a stocking, burst into Rob Doyle’s Ulladulla Lotteries and Souvenirs store on Wason Street at midday on Thursday, demanding cash from the store’s register.

Mr Doyle said he had little time to think as the silent intruder surprised his 53-year-old female co-worker from behind, placing the knife to her back “to let her know he was there”, he said.

“The first thing I said to him was ‘are you serious?’ and ‘you’re f****** joking right?’,” the 49-year-old said.

“I stepped in. I saw him pointing the long knife at the cash register, so I knew what he was after.

Ulladulla Lotteries and Souvenirs‘ owner Rob Doyle chased the armed thief on foot after staff were threatened with a knife.

“He was twitching, so I thought he might’ve been on something.

“I gave him some money and then he just legged it towards the harbour and up into the vacant IGA car park.

“I followed him, but he was a lot quicker than me.”

Mr Doyle said the broad daylight robbery, the first in his 36-year career, was over in under a minute.

“I didn’t really have time to think. I just did what I could,” he said.

“We were both pretty shaken, and still are a bit.”

Despite the traumatic experience, Mr Doyle said the woman was back at work on Friday morning.

“I told her to take the day off, but she said she would rather be at work than at home thinking about what happened all day long,” Mr Doyle said.

The brazen robbery occurred in broad daylight before the unknown man got away on foot. Picture: Google Maps

Mr Doyle said the brazen robbery was “very unexpected”, as the quiet store doesn’t even have an issue with shoplifting.

“Most of our customers know what happened yesterday and they’ve been really supportive,” he said.

“The sense of community here is amazing.

“If we were a city store I don’t think we would have the same kind of support after something like this.”

NSW Police said they are investigating the robbery, and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.