Armed robbery of pubs likely linked

Six armed robberies at Canterbury pubs this year are likely linked and an organised group could be responsible, police say.

In the latest incident, a man carrying a gun entered the Springston Hotel, near Lincoln, about 10.30pm on Thursday.

Two shots were fired into the air but no-one was injured. Cash was taken.

Five other armed robberies at pubs across Christchurch this year appear similar. In each case a man armed with a shotgun entered the bar shortly before closing and demanded cash.

Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said that while a lone gunman was entering the bars, he appeared to have support from others.

‘‘We are treating them as one set of robberies … there are commonalities.’’

Police were concerned about the group’s willingness to fire a gun to complete their crime.

During a robbery last month at the Brickworks Bar and Restaurant, a gunman blasted his way through the front door when staff refused to let him in.

Criminologist Greg Newbold said pub robberies were ‘‘lowend’’. It was unlikely they were being committed by ‘‘professional robbers’’.

‘‘[The robbers] are crazy young fools who are taking ridiculous risks and people’s lives are in danger because of it.

‘‘They’re not experienced and they’re dangerous. It’s huge, they’re likely to hurt somebody,’’ Newbold said.

He was confident the robbers would be caught.

‘‘They will be laughing. They will think they have got away with it; they will be laughing until the cops turn up.’’

Spate robberies: January 18: Tavern Harewood robbed by man with sawn-off shotgun. March 10: Tavern Harewood robbed for a second time. March 15: Brickworks Bar and Restaurant employee forced to the floor by a man who pointed a shotgun at his head. March 24: Cash stolen in robbery of Trevino’s Restaurant and Bar. March 30: Gunman blasts his way through door at Brickworks Bar and Restaurant. April 6: Springston Hotel robbed.

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