Tauranga police need help to find Welcome Bay Foodmarket robber and getaway car

Police at the scene of a knifepoint robbery at Welcome Bay Foodmarket on Wednesday night. Photo/File

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the woman who robbed the Welcome Bay Foodmarket at knifepoint get into the getaway car and the person driving it.

Tauranga police were called to the store on Welcome Bay Rd at 6.30pm on September 26.

The robber, who was armed with a knife and wearing dark clothing, with her lower face disguised by a black mask and a hoodie, fled the store with some cash and cigarettes.

Store owner Kuldip Kumar earlier told the Bay of Plenty Times the robber twice threatened to stab him with the knife if he did not open the till.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Rawlinson said police were continuing to investigate the aggravated robbery and needed the public's help

"We are following strong lines of inquiry, and we are grateful to members of the public who have provided us with some useful information so far.

"But we would like to hear from anyone else who was in the area around 6.30pm and witnessed anything which may be relevant to our investigation," he said.

Rawlinson said the female offender ran from the store down Welcome Bay Rd and on to James Cook Drive, where she got into a vehicle driven by another person.

We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen this vehicle and the person in it, he said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is urged to call Tauranga police on 07 577 4300 or phone the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.