Armed hit on takeaway shop

A worker was assaulted when robbers armed with a machete and gun stormed a Waikato fish and chip shop.

The pair managed to get away with ‘‘next to nothing’’ in the Sunday night attack, Tokoroa police Senior Sergeant Jason Henderson said.

But the robbers’ actions left the two Lomond Takeaways workers on duty at the time seriously shaken.

They ran into the Nevis Crescent shop about 9pm on Sunday armed with a machete and longbarrelled firearm, Henderson said.

‘‘One of the two shop assistants was assaulted during the robbery.’’

He said the worker, believed to be a man, was not seriously injured.

Henderson said the robbers got away with a small amount of property, but he had no details on what that was.

A light or white coloured vehicle was seen leaving the area at speed around the same time. Henderson said it was possible the thieves used the car to get away, but since they were yet to be located, that was unconfirmed.

Xiu Mei Emo, who works at Lomond Dairy next door to Lomond Takeaways said the shop owner had been warned about the dangers of staying open late.

‘‘We are very careful here and shut the door early at 8pm but they closed at 9pm last night which is very late,’’ she said.

‘‘We have told them not to open late because this place is not good. It is not like in town where there are people walking up and down, it is quiet here.’’

She said she was thankful there have been no robberies at her dairy.

‘‘We thank God it has never happened.’’

A worker from R and B Bakery, which is also next door to the takeaways, said they were also closed at the time but said they had all their cabinets robbed three years ago.

The robbery follows the violent robbery of the Aotea Crs Dairy in December 2016 where an offender knocked a staff member unconscious.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses. People can contact Tokoroa police on 07 885 0100. Alternatively, information can be provided via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.