Police seek pair after robbers target dairy
Armed robbers lunged with a knife towards a Porirua dairy owner, then ran off with cigarettes and cash.
Detective Constable Carl O’Donnell, of Porirua, said two offenders threatened the married couple, who have run the Warspite Dairy and Takeaways shop at Ascot Park for 18 years, before making off with packets of cigarettes and the cash register about 7.45pm on Monday, September 18.
‘‘The first offender moved quickly from the entrance to around the back of the counter, pointing a large knife at the female owner behind the till,’’ O’Donnell said.
Security footage showed her husband, who was working in the attached takeaway shop, came around to help her but was cut off.
‘‘He was stopped by the first offender, who lunged at him with the knife as if he was going to stab him.’’
The first offender, described as a Maori or Polynesian man of medium build about 1.70 metres tall, snatched a number packets of several well-known cigarette brands from shelves behind the counter before running from the store.
Security footage showed the couple standing separately, out of harm’s way, while the offenders snatched their goods.
The first one was wearing a black T-shirt over a grey hoodie, and had a black or dark blue and white check shirt wrapped around his face.
Under his hoodie, it looked as if he was wearing a white basketball singlet such as those worn by some major United States NBA franchiseses.
‘‘The second offender, who was also carrying a knife, moved quickly behind the counter, picked up the black Casio cash register and walked out of the store with it.’’
The second offender was also described as being a Maori or Polynesian man, but of slim build and about 1.75m tall.
He was wearing a black Puma hoodie, with the hood tied tight around his face, and possibly a blue and white singlet underneath.
The couple were not physically injured in the attack, which lasted less than a minute.
‘‘If anyone recognises these offenders or any of the clothing worn by them or the whereabouts of the black Casio cash register, [which] has not been recovered, please contact the officer.’’
Anyone with information is asked to call Porirua Police Station on 04 238 1400 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.