Tobacco and cash nicked
An knife-wielding armed robber who threatened a Palmerston North petrol station worker remains on the loose, after a terrifying evening hold-up.
The robbery at the BP service station on Main St happened at 9.20pm on Sunday – the second time it’s been robbed in the past six months.
Detective Sergeant Johnny Oram said tobacco pouches and cash were taken before the brazen robber ran on to Main St.
Owner Alastair Howie said this robbery was almost identical to the first.
On July 9, about 9.15pm, police said a man walked into the service station.
He approached the counter and waved a knife at the sole attendant on duty.
The robber then demanded tobacco and cash.
The attendant handed it over and the robber put the takings into a hat that he took off a rack inside the shop.
Howie said the staff member working this time around was doing OK and was not the same attendant working when the July robbery occurred.
‘‘He was a bit shaken, but he was unharmed.’’
Howie was left with a feeling of deja vu.
‘‘Guy comes in with a knife, threatens at knife point.
‘‘Runs away with tobacco and cash.’’
The robberies were not a plesant experience for the staff involved, he said.
‘‘Tobacco and cash can be replaced, but it’s not nice for a person to have to go through that ordeal.’’
He said the staff member working at the time followed protocols.
"Tobacco and cash can be replaced, but it's not nice for a person to have to go through that ordeal." Alastair Howie
‘‘The guy on duty followed our protocol for burglary and armed robberies and did what the offender wanted and handed over some tobacco and cash...the guy put it in a pillow case and just left.’’
Security at the store was now being reviewed.
‘‘We’re in the process of doing that.
‘‘Every time something happens you always look to improve, so we have added a couple more features to make the guys safer.’’
Police said a scene examination was taking place and CCTV footage was being reviewed.
The offender is described as a Caucasian man, about 180 centimetres tall and of athletic build. He wore a jacket, gloves and a beanie.