A man who pointed what was thought to be a firearm at a Kaikohe liquor store worker has stolen a large sum of cash.
A balaclava-clad man walked into The Shed Liquor Centre in Marino Place, also known as Library Square, Kaikohe, about 5.15pm on Saturday and pointed what looked like a pistol at the attendant before making off with a significant amount of cash from the till. It is understood close to $1000 was taken.
The store worker was uninjured in the robbery.
Detectives and frontline police, some of them armed with pistols, descended on Kaikohe where they were seen interviewing liquor centre staff and responding to possible sightings. Two officers stationed at the bottom end of Broadway stopped all traffic entering and leaving town.
The police inquiry is continuing. They are understood to be examining CCTV images from the shop and the main street.
Anyone with information about the robbery is urged to call the Kaikohe station on (09) 405 2960 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.