Armed robbers force shop workers to hand over cash at gunpoint in Brazil until one of the staff realises they have got fake firearms… and then it’s payback time 

• The three robbers quickly take over the store but end up being too relaxed
• Store workers realise the weapons are fake and take on the robbers 
• One of the robbers is repeatedly battered by a store worker armed with an office chair whilst the other two criminals get away

By Tom Wyke for MailOnline

Published: 09:22 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 11:15 EST, 10 July 2015

It all seemed to be going so well for three robbers, who were raiding a store in Brazil until their hostages realised they were only armed with replica weapons and fought back.  

The CCTV shows how two of the robbers manage to quickly run out of the store, but for the remaining robber, he was left to face two very angry members of staff.

Armed with a chair, one staff member smashes the robber over the head, knocking him to the ground before hitting him several more times with the chair. 

Robbery goes wrong when store worker realises gun is fake

Frightening: Armed with handguns the three robbers quickly take control of the store but their relaxed approach costs them in the end

Hands-on approach: Two of the store workers combine to prevent the third robber from escaping the store

The video begins with a man with a shortly cropped haircut approaching the shop door. He looks casual with his sunglasses, red tank top and low slung shorts and trainers.

The man walks confidently into the store, subtly beckoning a store worker, wearing an orange t-shirt. They start having a discussion and looking at some of the items on the shelf.

Another store worker listens to the chatting. She is wearing white cargo trousers and a dark pink t-shirt and can be seen checking boxed items off a clipboard.

In walks a second man, wearing a white t-shirt and a light blue netted baseball cap. The video pauses on his face although it is not yet known if he has been arrested.

Split second decision: The moment the store worker realises the weapons are fake, two of the robbers run for their lives, leaving behind their friend

Hammer blow: Trapped behind a desk, the robber is subjected to a considerable beating by one of the workers 

Bonecrunching: Using an office chair, the store worker repeatedly hits the robber over the head

The third robber arrives, dressed in a white t-shirt with a distinctive red stripe across the chest.

At this point the man in the red tank top and the man wearing a baseball cap pull out handguns and start pointing them at the store workers, ordering them to the ground.

Whilst casually helping themselves to stock items and cash, one of the robbers suddenly sprint out of the store, leaving behind his fellow criminals.

A member of staff has realised the weapons are fake and quickly gets up as the second robber legs it outside.

Attempted escape: The third robber tries to make a break for freedom but is quickly apprehended

Busted in Brazil: It is unclear what happened to the three robbers although it is unlikely they will try to rob this store again

Enraged by the attempted robbery, the orange shirted store worker grabs an office swivel chair and raises it above his head. With all his might, he brings the whole chair down on the robber, who is sitting behind the desk.

Again the store worker clubs the robber several more times before the third robber manages to crawl and head for the door. 

The purple shirted female member of staff wrestles with the robber as he desperately tries to escape out of the shop door. 

Although it is unclear what happened to the three robbers, it is unlikely they will try to rob this store again.