Armed girls rob Kerikeri store
Police have praised the Far North liquor store manager who remained calm while he was robbed by two masked teenage girls wielding axes.
Super Liquor duty manager Navnit Limbachiya was working alongside his assistant at the Kerikeri store on May 20.
They were just about to close at around 9pm when they saw the girls - their faces covered with masks and hoodies - approach.
‘‘Everything was quiet around here...we were just about to close,’’ he says.
‘‘Two girls came in with small axes or tomahawks. They came straight here at the till.
‘‘They came in swinging the axes and told me they need money.
‘‘I never thought that would happen in Kerikeri because the people who’re here like to live a normal life.’’
Limbachiya says one girl went behind the counter to try and open the till, while the other loaded her backpack with about seven bottles of hard liquor including whisky.
‘‘They tried to open the till but it didn’t open so they tried to take it. I told them to wait and would open it.’’
Limbachiya then opened the till and the girl ‘‘grabbed the money.’’
The assistant had locked himself in the back of the shop and phoned their boss, who arrived shortly after. The girls fled in the direction of the nearby Domain.
A man parked outside the shop phoned police and checked to see if staff were ok.
CCTV footage of the incident was given to police, who are examining it to try and identify the offenders.
Limbachiya says he stayed calm throughout the ordeal and followed his bosses advice to always ’’take care of yourself’’ in this type of situation.
Detective Patrick Derbyshire, of Kerikeri police, said Limbachiya did the right thing. ’’He was calm and he did as his boss said.’’
The Okaihau Liquor Store that was robbed last November still has its doors locked to the public. Customers now have to knock on the door to be allowed entry following the robbery by two men armed with a stick with a nail in it, and a large knife.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Patrick Derbyshire 09 407 9211 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.