LEAD STORY: Store owner stabbed | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

For the second time since taking over the Vigor Brown St Store in Napier South five years ago, the Chinese owner, known to locals and regulars as Alan, has been targeted by a robber and attacked.

In January 2007, he was struck with a steel bar by a man who demanded money and cigarettes during a robbery.

Yesterday's incident had the potential for tragedy for Alan, his wife, Joanne, and their two young sons, as he was stabbed several times in the shoulder and head as he tried to stop the knife-wielding robber from making off with money he had grabbed from the till.

Today, as police charged a 29-year-old man in relation to the incident, the 45-year-old shop owner was back at home recovering after being treated for his wounds at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

His wife was reluctant to say too much about what had happened, but said she was pleased to see her husband home.

The store, she said, was their business and income, but she was unsure whether the latest incident would see them call it quits.

"Shopkeepers are scared now. You start thinking - what's going to happen tomorrow?"

Joanne said she could not understand why someone would do something so desperate "for only a few dollars".

The incident happened about 11.15am when a man walked into the shop, went to the counter where Joanne was waiting to serve him, reached over and snatched money from the till.

Her husband, who was out the back, ran into the shop and tried to prevent the offender from leaving.

The robber lashed out several times with a small knife as the owner grappled him out the door.

A passing delivery truck driver saw what was happening and dashed across the road to help.

The robber ran off and the driver chased him but was unable to grab him.

He was, however, able to give police a good description and where he was last seen heading.

He was modest about his actions yesterday.

When asked if he was the man who chased the robber he said, "yeah, kind of," and carried on his way. Police were on the scene within minutes and began setting up a wide cordon while St John Ambulance staff attended to the shop owner.

At one stage a patrol spotted a man fitting the offender's description and an officer gave chase - but the man disappeared into a residential block between Douglas McLean Ave and Bedford Rd.

"We put a good tight cordon in place - we knew he was in there," Senior Sergeant Dan Foley said today.

Many residents, unable to return to their homes, had to wait while police dog teams searched the area property by property.

The Marewa Kindergarten was closed for the afternoon.

"The public were brilliant. They were patient and stayed put while we worked on this," Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Reid said.

Four hours after going to ground, the man eventually "popped his head up" after being found hiding at an address.

He was charged with aggravated wounding, aggravated robbery and two counts of burglary.

 He is scheduled to appear in the Napier District Court today.