Failed robber carjacks woman outside liquor store

A bungling robber carjacked a woman outside a Hamilton liquor store in order to flee his first crime.

He went on to try his luck at a second store, but again was forced to flee empty-handed.

Police are still looking for the thief whose crime spree began at Black Bull liquor store on Peachgrove Road in Hamilton on Sunday evening.

Around 6.30pm, he entered the booze shop not far from Five Cross Roads wearing a grey hoodie beneath a blue boiler suit.

He gripped a screwdriver and demanded cash from the worker, but within a few seconds ran out empty-handed, Waikato CIB Detective Sergeant Scott Neilson said.

Outside the liquor store, he approached a woman in her car.

‘‘He’s threatened her, she’s had to get out of the vehicle and surrender her keys to him. At that point, he’s taken her vehicle.’’ The woman was uninjured, he said.

After fleeing in the woman’s car, the same offender attempted a second robbery at a dairy on Knighton Road in Hillcrest.

‘‘A sole male has entered two stores, both Black Bull Liquor on Peachgrove Road and the Knighton Road Dairy.

‘‘He’s been armed with a screwdriver and threatened the store attendants, but has left emptyhanded on both occasions.’’

Neilson said the man demanded cash from both businesses.

When he got nothing, he fled within seconds. Police chased the car from Silverdale, Neilson said, before abandoning the pursuit.

The stolen car was later found dumped at a property in Morrinsville. There was no sign of the man.

‘‘Inquiries are continuing to identify and try to locate the male.

‘‘None of the shopkeepers were injured and nothing was taken.’’

The man’s described as Maori or Polynesian man, of solid build and was wearing a blue overalls over a grey hoodie.

●➤ Anyone with information can contact Hamilton police on 07 858

6200 or can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.