A Kiama small business owner who was the victim of an armed robbery says any fear she felt during the encounter has since turned to anger.
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Narelle Smalley was manning the reception desk of Coco Chai Day Spa, on Collins Lane, when she was approached by a teenage boy about 1.50pm Monday. She says the teen produced a hammer and bashed holes in a wall and the reception desk before threatening her and demanding money. The teen departed after Ms Smalley handed him the till.
“There was no time to feel anything [during the robbery],” she said. “Now I’m angry. You work your bum off and they can just come in and do what they want.”
Ms Smalley said the incident had served as a reminder to area business owners “not to be so trusting”, and shown there was a case for extending the reach of Kiama’s security cameras. She says area business owners had noticed their premises being “cased out” for some time.
Lake Illawarra Police are investigating Monday’s hold-up. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.