Turawaho Hemopo rejects hero tag after he foils Yarrabilba chemist robbery

Truck driver Turawaho Hemopo tackled a burglar to the ground on Thursday, holding him down until police arrived.

Mr Hemopo was making a delivery to the nearby Coles when a woman came running from the chemist, alerting him of the burglary.

"At first, I just waved back," he said.

"But then both her hands went up, and I thought that's not a hello wave, that's a something's wrong wave."

The Jindalee man went into the chemist to find the robbery in progress.

"I stood in the doorway and said 'what are you blokes up to?' with a few colourful words in there," he said.

"They started walking towards me, and I was waiting to see if they made any sudden hand movements, I didn't know if they were armed."

Three of the four offenders escaped, but Mr Hemopo stopped the fourth. He chatted with the teen while they waited for police.

"He told me how old he was, and that hit home because I have a teenager," he said.

"I said 'mate what are you doing hanging around with these drop kicks'.

"So I went from tackling him to the ground to giving fatherly advice."

He said he did not consider himself a hero.

"That word is being thrown around a lot," Mr Hemopo said.

"But the way I see it, I'm just a normal, average bloke who did what he could to help.

The Kiwi who came to Australia from Hamilton four years ago said his solid build helped him during the incident.

"I am up there in size," he said. "I consider myself a heavyweight."

Fiance Sarah and children VIncent, 14, 12-year-old Jayda, Tyrell (11) and Ayana (10) were enjoying his new-found fame.

"My fiance is over the moon about it," he said. "She's lapping it up more than I am, if I'm honest."

Police said four men were assisting officers with their inquiries.