A central city dairy owner was left shaken after an aggravated robbery yesterday lunchtime.
Rotorua detectives are appealing for any information that will help find the man who threatened the owner of Cosmos Superette about 1.15pm. The dairy is on Fenton St on the same block as the Rotorua police station.
Detective Sergeant Tony Colby said the man has been described as possibly part Maori, of medium build and about 170 to 173cm tall. He was wearing a dark-coloured top, grey shorts, converse style shoes and a baseball cap. He was clean shaven with short dark hair.
"He was armed with a metal spanner which he has used to threaten the shop attendant," Mr Colby said.
"There has been a short struggle before the offender has left the store, walking off on Fenton St towards Pukuatua St. He has turned right on Pukuatua St towards the centre of town where witnesses have lost sight of him.