Shot fired into shop as robber flees

August 15, 2010

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USTOMERS and staff were terrorised during an armed hold-up at a Sydney supermarket yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses said the man, armed with a sawn-off shotgun, forced more than 20 customers on to the floor of the Aldi supermarket in George Street, Parramatta, as he took money and valuables.

The man, described as Caucasian and wearing a black hooded top, swore at customers and fired a shot at the door, shattering the glass, before driving off in a silver car.

''It was an Aussie guy with a huge sawn-off gun,'' said Eugene Pas, who was in the shop at the time.

''The lady next to me was trembling. He grabbed the money and put it in a bag on the floor. Everyone was scared.''

One mother, who asked not to be named, said she was doing her weekly grocery shopping when the robber stormed in.

''I was so scared for my family, my kids were sitting outside and I didn't take my eyes off them.''

One elderly woman who was waiting in the cash register queue said she was still in shock.

''It was very threatening,'' she said. ''He was yelling and swearing for everyone to get on the floor.

''Today we have witnessed violence that we never see.''

Chirhe Petel, who was in the shop, said the ordeal lasted about 10 minutes.

Kathy Ayubi, who was attending her second beauty therapy class in the shop above, said she had never heard such a loud gunshot.

Late yesterday police said the gunman was still on the run.