Thieves attempting to rob a York food bank in York threatened the man behind it with violence.
It happened last Wednesday morning. John McGall, who runs the I Am Reusable food bank, was first woken by a disturbance at 1.20am.
He saw two people on bikes attempting to break into the food bank, based in a purpose-built shed on John’s property on Aldborough Way.
He shouted out of his window and “scared them off” – but they returned at 2.20am.
John told YorkMix: “I went out to confront them to find they were using an angle grinder to cut the key safe.
“Both of the lads didn’t manage to get into the shed thank goodness.
“I was threatened that they would stab me with a screwdriver when I took a bike off one of them.
“The police have taken away the bike for evidence and fingerprints.
“The lads didn’t know what happened when I came out running. They were like frightened rats and in the struggle I got the bike.”
Fortunately John, who had to retire early after having open heart surgery, was unharmed in the struggle.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “During this incident the suspects were interrupted by the victim.
“When he seized one of their bikes they threatened him with violence. Investigations are still ongoing into this incident.
“If you have any information or CCTV that could help with our investigation please call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote NYP reference 1224013682.”
The I Am Reusable food bank helps around 120 people a day, seven days a week.