This is the moment a young thief who has not eaten for two days thrusts a knife at the neck of a shop owner before her lightning-fast husband jumps in and detains him until the cops come.

The incident was filmed by the shop’s CCTV camera in the city of Jinhua in the Chinese province of Zhejiang at around 9pm on 21st August.

According to local media, the young suspect, identified as Chen Xun, arrived in the shop and threatened the married owners with a knife.

The brave husband wrestled with the knifeman after he attacked his wife, named as Ms Fan, and managed to subdue him in the store until the police arrived.

Chen is currently being held in preventive custody for attempted robbery.

During questioning, the suspect is quoted as saying: “I have not eaten for two days and I do not have any money. I wanted to go in and grab something when I passed the minimarket.”

The investigation is ongoing.

In the CCTV footage, the suspect is seen talking to Ms Fan at the counter as her husband looks on.

Chen apparently removes something from his pocket with his right hand before lunging towards the woman, jabbing something in her neck area.

The lightning-fast husband jumps in and grabs the man’s right wrist to prevent him using the apparent knife before keeping him subdued for some time.