Police are searching for a masked man who held up a Tauranga petrol station and made off with cash and tobacco last night.
The sole staff member at Mobil, on the corner of Cameron Rd and 10th Ave, was threatened with what police have described as a knife, screwdriver or something
similar about 9.30pm - half an hour before the station was due to lock its doors and operate through a night service window.
Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier said the man walked into the store and approached the staff member, who was in his 40s, before making off with an undisclosed amount of money and tobacco.
The staff member was not hurt.
Mr Brazier said it was likely the man had been sitting in a car watching the petrol station for some time before the incident.
The robber was dressed in a dark and light striped hooded jacket with a dark scarf pulled up over his face. He wore dark paints and white track shoes.
Mr Brazier asked people contact police by calling the Tauranga station or 0800 SPEAK UP.
