Armed police swarmed a city street and warned folk to lock their homes as they pursued a man suspected of robbing two shops who had clambered onto rooftops.
The dramatic siege saw Angel Road locked down after two armed robberies - at Silver Road Post Office and Angel Stores - were reported.
Amber Rowley, who has lived in the NR3 street for eight years, had no idea that the suspect was on her roof until she got a knock on her door by a police officer.
She said: "The officer wanted to come through and to the back garden because there was an issue.
"A man was sat on my roof, next to the chimney, who said he wasn't coming down.
"There were two officers, one with a gun, at the back of the house and three more outside the front.
"They told me to stay inside and lock all doors and windows because they weren't sure what the man had on him.
"I was worried, just in case he ended up coming through the roof - I've never had anything like it happen before."
A police armed response vehicle, fire, ambulance and a police negotiator arrived to persuade the man to come down.
READ MORE: Historic city pub forced to close last year could reopen next month
The owner of Angel Stores, who did not wish to be named, said his colleague was "shaken up" after the incident.
He said: "A man came in, got a knife out and asked for all the cash behind the counter.
"He gave him everything that was there - which wasn't a small amount - before he ran off down the road.
"Police came and took fingerprints of the shop.
READ MORE: Disabled woman slams 'disgusting' treatment during city festival
"My colleague was shaken up after what happened, as it's not every day someone takes a knife out on you."
He did not want to say how much was stolen but police say between £300 and £400 was taken from the Silver Road shop.
Sharmin Akther lives a few doors down from the incident and added: "There must have been 15 or so people outside looking at what was going on.
UPDATE: Norwich man charged after knifepoint robberies of NR3 shops
"There were about three of four police cars, an ambulance and fire engine while police had closed the road and surveyed the area for about an hour."
The man, in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
Following the publication of this article, Leon Meminaj, 20, of Rouen Road in Norwich, was charged with robbery, attempted robbery, assault with intent to rob and two offences of possession of a bladed article.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here