That was the account of a man who said he saw an attempted burglary in Invercargill this week - the second in two days.
Rob Johansen, a neighbour, said he saw through his window four men attempting to break in to the Newfield Dairy, in Centre St, about 12.30am on Wednesday.
"They saw me and I yelled out something like, `I've got your photo' ... That's when they ran down the alleyway next door."
Newfield Dairy co-owner Christine Radka confirmed it was the second incident this week.
Police have also asked anyone who may have information about the incidents to come forward.
Mrs Radka said she would "bet her life" the two incidents on Monday and Wednesday were linked.
"I'm thinking the first lot has come in, couldn't achieve what they wanted, and the next night they've come back with machetes thinking they can pry those doors open [on the cigarette cabinet]."
A grey car was seen at the dairy on both nights, she said.
"One of the guys had a very distinctive tattoo on his hand - someone must know who he is."
Despite what the damage would cost, the most important thing was her staff's safety, Mrs Radka said.
Since the incidents, the shop had "ramped-up" security, installing mesh brackets on the doors and no longer keeping money on site overnight.
A staff member, who did not want to be named, said despite a recent spate of robberies, he was surprised to be "hit" twice in "one week".
Shop CCTV footage showed the offenders throwing rocks at the glass door, kicking it in, and then jumping over the counter.
The staff were feeling "uneasy", he said.
These types of crimes were making it an "unsafe place for small businesses," he said.
"The hard work that's been put into running this shop, it feels a bit like a kick in the teeth. "
Police asked via social media for members of the public to come forward with any information relating to a robbery which occurred at 4am on Monday.
Police were unable to make further comment yesterday.
