Pair cased hotel, say neighbours
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Assailants are thought to have concealed themselves behind this fence before robbing the Alexandra Hotel in Pirongia. Robbers are believed to have hidden behind a fence before pouncing on unassuming new business owners and stealing from them.
Pirongia couple Tony Penwarden and Julie Kilmaster were yesterday coming to terms with being victims of an aggravated robbery early on Sunday morning.
On just their second night on the job, shortly after midnight, the pair were tied up and left in an office while two men stole a large amount of cash.
Staff from the nearby Pirongia Village Cafe said they understood the robbers had hidden behind the fence, bordering a public walkway which runs alongside the north end of the bar. ‘‘Tony said they hid behind the fence line during the night, watching,’’ a staff member said.
Another staff member, who gave her name as Sarah, said widespread knowledge of the new ownership and a lack of a phone line potentially caused them to be singled out.
‘‘Sadly maybe it was a little bit of naivety on their part,’’ she said. ‘‘Everyone knew they were new owners, and everyone in the pub that night knew they didn’t have a phone line.’’
The couple used a cellphone to alert police soon after the robbery.
Hotel owners Julie Kilmister and Tony Penwarden ahead of the opening.
Kilmaster and Penwarden were in the bar of the establishment yesterday, but declined to be interviewed.
‘‘I don’t really want to say anything at the moment,’’ Kilmaster said. ‘‘We just want to let the dust settle for a bit while we talk to police.’’
Te Awamutu CIB were continuing their investigation into the robbery, Senior Sergeant Dave Simes said.
‘‘There’s a significant number of people police are required to speak with and police are continuing inquiries.’’
Penwarden and Kilmaster had moved into the on-site manager’s residence since buying the land, business and building, but are understood to be staying with family.
Sarah did not know what time the couple closed their doors after Saturday night, but said she noticed nothing untoward when she left her neighbouring workplace on Friday at 5pm.
She could not recall any aggravated robbery at the hotel in the 18 years she had lived in Pirongia.
Community members were trying to help the couple, who were new to Pirongia, feel safe again, Sarah said.
‘‘We’re quite happy to help out where we can. This isn’t how we want our village to be.’’
Police are seeking anyone who may have further information on the men or the vehicle they used to flee the scene.
One suspect was a man of medium build, who was wearing a fluorescent pink T-shirt, a dark hoodie and cap.
The other suspect was of medium build, and wearing a dark jacket over a grey hoodie.
Any one with information should call the Te Awamutu police on 07 871 0100.