An employee at a takeaway store in Rosebery used a bucket of chilli to defend herself from a customer who was allegedly attempting to steal money from the store’s cash register.

About 6.15pm yesterday (Sunday 5 May 2013), a man walked into the takeaway store on Gardeners Road and ordered food. Shortly after ordering, the man became involved in a verbal argument with two staff members regarding payment for the food.

The man subsequently walked behind the store’s counter, and allegedly pushed the staff members aside before attempting to open a cash register.

One of the staff members, a 40-year-old man, ran to the front of the store and called police, while the other staff member, a 27-year-old woman, attempted to stop the man from opening the cash register.

The man smashed the cash register on the floor, forcing it open, before striking the woman across the chest as she tried to stop him from getting to the money.

The 27-year-old woman then grabbed a bucket of chilli and threw it over the man’s face, instantly flooring him.

Police arrived at the scene within minutes and arrested a 24-year-old man who was lying on the shopfloor. He was taken to Mascot Police Station where he received treatment for minor burns, before being charged with assault with intent to rob.

The 24-year-old, from Tempe, was bail refused and is scheduled to appear in Waverly Local Court later today (Monday 6 May 2013).