When you decide you are going to rob a jewellery store, you have to expect to be met with some opposition. The valuable items are likely to be protected by numerous layers of security - you know like locks and alarms, and so on.
However, you probably wouldn't anticipate staff being armed with massive swords.
But that is exactly what four would-be thieves faced when they attempted to rob a jewellery store in Canada on Wednesday.
The showdown took place shortly after noon at Ashok Jewellers in Mississauga, Ontario, according to Peel Regional Police.
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CCTV footage from inside the store shows what appears to be four robbers smashing the shop window with what looks like a hammer.
But just as one of the robbers jumps through the window he is met by an employee, who charges towards him wielding a sword above his head.
A second employee then arrives with a sword to provide back-up, but he stacks it on his arse, knocking over a chair. In the moment, it probably wasn't an appropriate time for laughter, but you can only hope the staff have shared a good chuckle upon watching the footage.
One of the robbers then points what appears to be a handgun in the direction of the employees, who duck behind the counter. But as the robber has a second stab at entering the window, the employees wield their swords once again, with a third employee also coming to the fore with a sword.
The men fled in a dark SUV and police haven't identified any suspects as of yet.
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Reflecting on the dramatic incident, Arjun Kumar, the son of the store's owner, said he 'was willing to do anything to keep them out'.
According to CBC, he said: "When we saw them coming in, that's when we really took action and we rushed them.
"They had a gun but my main concern was I wanted them to not get into my store.
"I was willing to do anything to keep them out. Even if it meant me getting shot, not a problem."
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'Not a problem,' you say... sounds like someone is feeling pretty pleased with themselves.
A jewellery shop just 100 metres away reportedly fended off an attempted robbery with a sword in July, in what sounds like a remarkably similar incident. Off the back of the two incidents, police are advising shop owners to prioritise their own safety over protecting material items.
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According to CBC, Peel PC Danny Marttini said: "I think a lot of people want to naturally defend what's theirs. At the same time, we don't want people doing things that would cause any harm to themselves.
"Safety is first and foremost. At the end of the day, property is property."
You'd think jewellery shop thieves might choose a different street in future anyway.
Featured Image Credit: Ashok JewellersTopics: World News, Fail, Canada