Brave Fiaz chases knife thug
Raid on takeaway
A brave Rutherglen takeaway owner has spoke of the shocking moment he chased a knife-wielding thug from his shop.
Fiaz Zahid, 54, and his assistant Amin Ali, 51, were threatened by a man, thought to be in his 40s, and ordered to hand over money at Chillies on Newfield Place.
The pair refused before chasing him out of the shop after he kicked and smashed their front glass counter.
A brave Rutherglen takeaway owner admitted he was scared for his life when he chased a knife-wielding thug out of his shop who was demanding cash.
The man, thought to be in his 40s, went into Chillies on Newfield Place and shouted at staff to hand over money at around 8pm, last Wednesday, January 3.
But Fiaz Zahid, 54, and his assistant Amin Ali, 51, declined and chased him out the shop after he kicked and smashed the front glass counter.
Fiaz, who has run the family business for eight years, rushed to the door to watch the attacker head towards the flats near Acredyke Road.
The father of five said he was left shaken by the ordeal but was glad he and Amin were not injured.
He explained: “He told me he wanted some chicken pakora but I knew he didn’t, he wanted to attack.
“He tried to open the door [at the side of the counter]. He was saying ‘f ****** give me the money,’ ‘hurry up’ and I said there was no money, ‘go away’.
“I ran and shouted there was no money, go away, and he ran back. He broke the window and ran away. I stood at the door when he left.
“I was scared in case he had opened the door and attacked me. Money is not a problem, life is more important.”
Fiaz was already in the process of replacing the broken glass of the counter when he spoke to the Reformer on Thursday.
This breakage will cost the business £250.
He believes Burnhill is not a bad area and said he has rarely encountered any kind of trouble.
“This is the first time,” Fiaz continued: “It’s not too rough, it is okay. It’s more small boys under age which hang around.
“I’m glad he didn’t get anything. I was scared he would attack me. He probably looked in and saw one man but there was actually two of us here so that was a bit of safety for us.”
Police are now appealing for witnesses. The suspect is described as white, 40 to 49 years of age and wearing a dark ‘bubble’ jacket possibly with a hood.
Detective Sergeant Alan MacDonald, Cambuslang CID, said: “Thankfully no one was injured during the incident and no money was taken, however, to be threatened by a knife is a very frightening thing to happen to you.
“Officers are currently checking CCTV and speaking to householders and businesses in the area but would appeal to anyone who was there or in the vicinity, either before or after 8pm, who may have seen the man hanging about or running to the flats.
“If you have information you think may assist officers with their enquiries then contact the CID at Cambuslang via 101. Please quote incident number 3242 of January 3, 2018.”
Details can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.