STV NewsA brave shopkeeper who fended off a machete-wielding robber who attempted to steal cash from his store says the incident “doesn’t feel real”.
Bikrant Malhotra was having a “normal morning” in Alloway Road’s Day Today in East Kilbride when a masked man entered the store demanding money.
Mr Malhotra told STV News: “It was just a normal morning, stuck in the alcohol section ready for my lunch break and then someone comes in demanding money.
“I’m a bit shocked – like surely it was a prank or something, and then he’s got a long machete. That’s the first thing I seen. It’s messed up, I feel like its not real still.”
He said while the assailant tried to get him to cash from the till, he tried to intimidate the man who refused to leave.
“I tell him the cash in in the back, just to obviously get him away, but he demands some alcohol, which I give him. I’m thinking that’s a bit better than him asking for the cash,” Mr Malhotra said, “Then he starts asking for scratch cards, which is even better, which is even better because you could just report them stolen right away.”
He recalls the most frightening part of the experience was when the robber came behind the till for the final time – but ultimately was unsuccessful in getting any cash.
Mr Malhotra said; “I could have left through the door at any moment, the door was right there. I just couldn’t give him the cash.”
STV NewsHe added that after the robber left, he contacted the police who were quick to respond, and posted CCTV from the shop on social media.
On social media, Mr Malhotra told people “not to worry” and that he was “back to business”.
He posted: There was an attempted robbery at the shop, broad daylight, 12.30pm.
“Someone came in with a long machete, face covered and tried to take cash from the till. I obviously didn’t let him take anything valuable.
“There was a bit of damage to the shop but no-one was hurt, nothing valuable was taken, and we called the police as soon as possible. So no-one needs to worry and everything is all good – back to business.
“A few samosas were gone I think, but they’re back in stock now.”
He said that the community have been “really supportive” following the incident
The incident happened shortly after 12.30pm on Monday, August 17, at the Day Today store on Alloway Road in the town.
There were no injuries as a result of the incident, but a quantity of alcohol and scratch cards were taken.
Police investigating the incident say enquiries remain ongoing.
Detective Constable Alex Murray said: “We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the robbery to contact us.
“We’d also ask anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage which could assist our enquiries to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1310 of Monday, August 17, 2026. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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