Store owner, 70, scares off would-be robber by pulling out machete

TACOMA, Wash. (KING) - A would-be robber got the surprise of his life when he pulled a knife on a convenience store owner and the owner whipped out a much bigger blade – a machete.

Naif Qatamin is the 70-year-old owner of the Salena One Market in Tacoma, Washington. He was working just before 8 p.m. Feb. 5 when a man pulled out a knife, as seen on surveillance video.

“He said, ‘Hey, listen, this is a hold up,’” Qatamin said.

The suspect allegedly demanded the store owner open the till and give him money. That’s when Qatamin replied, “I don’t think so, buddy,” and picked up a machete.

Surveillance video from inside the store shows Qatamin waving the machete at the suspect.

“He jumped back there and fell down. I hold this [machete] on him,” the store owner said. “I felt sorry for him. He was crying. I just want to scare him. I don’t want to hurt him.”

The machete proved effective, as the would-be robber fled the scene. He was arrested by police the next day.

After the suspect was released, Qatamin says he came back to the convenience store and threatened to rob and kill him. Police arrived and arrested him again.

Qatamin didn’t miss a day of work, despite the robbery attempt and the alleged threats. He has owned his store since 2009 and says this isn’t the first time he’s been robbed, but it is the first time he’s used the machete.

“It’s been here for years – first time I ever touch it,” Qatamin said. “Nobody will die before his day. If it’s today, it will come no matter what, but if it’s not your day, you will live.”

The suspect was booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery and felony harassment.