Armed robber loses haul when tackled by bystander

A member of the public has risked his own life attempting to stop an armed offender from fleeing a Mackay convenience store with hundreds of dollars.

CCTV shows the thief walking into Slade Point Night Owl, just after 9pm on Friday.

He threatens the shop assistant, demands cash and leaves the store with about $700.

The man then turned down a laneway towards Seabreeze Court, where he was confronted by a bystander who had noticed the robbery unfolding.

The bystander launched himself onto the offender, who lost most of the cash in the scuffle.

He got away with about $100 and remains on the run.

Police have not condoned the vigilante behaviour.

“There's no injuries to that person whatsoever but he's obviously a vital witness and we will be having a chat to him,” Nigel Dalton said.

The robber is described as about 195cm tall. He was wearing a black hoodie, a balaclava and spoke with an Australian accent.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.