A TOMAHAWK-wielding robber struck at an Alexandra Hills convenience store early on Sunday.
The robbery attempt was the third that Red Shop owner Qi Li and his wife have dealt with since they bought the store in October 2011.
Mr Qi said the man, dressed in a black hoodie, walked into the store at 6.30am to buy cigarettes, before leaving to get more money out of his car.
The man returned soon after with a tomahawk and demanded cash.
Mr Qi had a small stick behind the counter to defend himself, but the man then took the register and ran out the front door.
However, he did not get far, dropping the register when he was accosted by a customer outside the door.
He was last seen running west along Finucane Road and into private property.
"When he first came in, my wife said she didn't feel comfortable and he looked like a robber," Mr Qi said.
"I said it was fine, but it turned out she was right."
Police discovered a black convertible believed to have been used in the robbery abandoned in Birkdale later on Sunday.
Mr Qi said he bought the wooden stick to keep behind the register after a gunman robbed the store in August.
"Even if he got away with the register, it was early in the morning and we didn't have any customers," he said.
"There was only a little money in there (as change) for the customers."
The man is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall and slim.
At the time of publication, no arrests had been made and police investigations were continuing.
Any information can be passed to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
