Second armed robbery of Christchurch restaurant ‘gut-wrenching’
A Christchurch bar and restaurant owner is ‘‘absolutely devastated’’ after a second armed robbery in less than a year.
A man, whose face was covered, armed with a rifle entered the front door of Trevinos Restaurant and Bar, on the corner of Riccarton Rd and Mona Vale Ave in Riccarton, shortly after midnight yesterday.
The bar area downstairs was empty apart from a few staff closing up while partygoers upstairs were oblivious to what was happening below them.
The restaurant’s owner, Marty Fuller, said the duty manager initially thought it was a hoax when the man, wearing a black hooded jacket, jeans and a ski glove on his left hand entered.
She quickly realised he was genuine after he pointed the firearm at her and demanded money from the safe before running off through the rear of the premises.
‘‘I’ve got to praise the staff. They did everything by the book. They complied with his wishes which is commendable,’’ Fuller said. ‘‘It’s a very traumatic event to have a firearm pointed at you and we’re just extremely grateful that they’re unharmed – the staff’s welfare is our primary concern.’’
The robbery is the second at the bar since March, when serial pubrobber Doug Roake entered the restaurant carrying a shotgun and a black bag. He fled with nearly $30,000 cash, but was sentenced in August to 13 years and eight months in prison for six armed robberies and a home invasion.
‘‘We were just so relieved when he was captured and you think ‘Thank God that’s over’, so we’re devastated this has happened again within a year – it’s a nightmare really.’’
Fuller introduced several security measures following the first robbery, which would now be reviewed.
‘‘But, the bottom line is that if some guy wants to get in he will. Look at the Brickworks [Restaurant and Bar in Cashmere] with Roake – they had the doors locked and he blew if off.’’
The restaurant was closed on Sunday morning, with police tape across both the rear and front entrances as officers examined the premises.
‘‘We just have to try and move on really,’’ Fuller said.
‘‘We work really hard and this industry is hard work at the moment.
‘‘You work hard and a mongrel like this comes along and thinks he can just take your money. It’s just gut-wrenching.’’