Sydney convenience store owner armed with coffee table foils attempted robbery

A fruit shop owner has literally turned the tables on knife-wielding robbers who attempted to hold up his store in Sydney’s west.

Three masked bandits, two of whom were armed with knives, stormed the Helena Fruit Market in Auburn at around 10pm last night and threatened the 16-year-old behind the counter.

The men threw the cash register to the ground and attempted to kick it open.

But the boy’s 51-year-old father and several friends burst from the shop’s back room when he heard the commotion.

He emerged with a coffee table held over his head as his friends and customers pursued the men armed with other improvised weapons, including a walking stick.

The robbers fled the shop and have not been seen since.

The men have been described as being about 180cm tall, thin to medium builds and wearing dark coloured hooded jumpers and lighter coloured long cargo pants.

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