THIS is the horrifying moment when masked thugs armed with an axe storm a flower shop and attack the owner, who manages to defend himself with a shopping cart.
The violent gang entered the Ripe n Ready Florist & Garden shop in the Yew Tree Shopping Centre in Yardley, east Birmingham, at around 7.30am on Saturday.
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Darren MacKenzie and his partner Karen Minto were in the store preparing to open when the men broke in and attempted to steal Darren’s Rolex watch.
They swung the axe and demanded that he hand over the watch he was wearing, but Darren refused.
He tried to fend them off by pushing a cart loaded with plants towards them, but fell in a scuffle.
Karen tried to protect him as he lay on the ground.
The men fled in a beige BMW when they heard police sirens on the opposite side of Church Road.
Darren suffered a broken kneecap and severe bruising in the scuffle and was taken to Heartlands Hospital.
He was released the same day at around 6 p.m.
Despite this ordeal, the two went back to work on Sunday and said they would not let the criminals win.
Karen, 52, told the Birmingham Mail: “We are scared to death. I keep having flashbacks of how quickly it all happened.”
“We are working at the moment, but it is terrible. We have to pay wages and keep the store open.”
The couple had prepared for the trading day on Saturday morning along with Darren’s daughter Chantelle Taylor and her husband Matthew.
Karen said: “I got the plant trolleys out to prepare them for the day.
“I went in to start assembling the bouquets and heard a commotion and a lot of shouting.
“When I looked up, there were three masked men waving an axe.
“I ran out and they shouted at Darren, ‘Give me your watch,’ but he said, ‘You don’t want my watch.'”
“Darren then pushed the trolleys against the men to prevent them from getting to him.
“But they came for him anyway. Darren tried to run away but fell to the ground. I tried to push them away – I thought the axe was going to stab him in the back.
“They threw me to the ground when I tried to protect Darren.
We are petrified. I keep having flashbacks of how quickly it happened
Karen Minot
“Darren got up and tried to go into our cafe next door, which we own, but the door was locked. The staff were at the back and didn’t hear him.
“We knocked on the windows to call the police. They kicked him in the back.
“Then we heard sirens that weren’t meant for us and across the street they were running away in a beige BMW.”
The police arrived and Darren was taken to hospital with a broken kneecap and bruises.
The police have received the surveillance camera footage and have begun an investigation.
Karren added that Darren no longer wears his watch and has decided to get rid of it as it is “not worth it”.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We are investigating an attempted robbery that took place yesterday (Saturday 10 August) on Church Road in South Yardley.”
“We are still at the beginning of our investigation, but have already secured video recordings and other important information.
“Anyone who can help us trace the offenders should speak to us via live chat on our website westmidlands.police.uk quoting investigation number 20/745605/24.
“Alternatively, you can call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“They will not ask for your name or trace your call, and you may be eligible for a cash reward.”
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