Robber slashes Bankstown pharmacy worker with screwdriver

A MAN is on the run after attempting to rob a pharmacy by holding a screwdriver to the neck of a female staff member and slashing a male pharmacist the face when her ran to her defence.

About 5.30pm yesterday, a man described as having a dark complexion and wearing a dark-coloured hooded jumper threatened a female staff member at the West Terrace Pharmacy in Bankstown.

CCTV shows the woman inside the store speaking with a man, who is believed to have been demanding drugs and cash.

The would-be robber then grabs the woman around the back of the neck and holds a screwdriver to her throat.

When the pharmacist, who was in the bathroom, hears the woman’s scream he runs to her defence and suffers cuts to his face a struggle with the robber.

The pharmacist then picks up a chair and uses it to chase the offender out of the store empty-handed.

Paramedics were called to the scene, and the pharmacist received about seven stitches to the wound on his face.

A police investigation into the incident is being carried out.

Pharmacy owner Simon Elias said he was relieved everybody was safe after the incident, and that while he did not advocate the pharmacist putting himself in harm’s way, he was extremely proud of his actions.

“He ended up being a bit of a hero, to be honest,” Mr Elias said.