A Havelock North business' anniversary was spoiled by a "desperate" youth yesterday afternoon.
John Booth, the owner of Lipscombe Dairy, was preparing to celebrate his first anniversary in the Lipscombe Crescent shop today.
Instead, he was recovering from the shock of having what appeared to be a firearm pointed at his face.
The
incident started just after midday when a young man entered the shop and screamed that he wanted money for his mother.
Speaking to Hawke's Bay Today an hour after the incident, Mr Booth said the gunman yelled as he pointed the weapon, "I don't want to f***ing hurt you. My mum's in trouble with drugs. Give me the money. I don't want to hurt you."
The 26-year-old Havelock North resident retreated from the till but the threatening behaviour continued "I yelled at him from the back to take the f***ing till," Mr Booth said.
Exacerbating the situation was the presence of the dairy owner's mother, Julie Booth, and aunt, Jude Lyons, in the shop, although the gunman never turned his attention to them.
He continued to ask for the money to be handed over, while pointing the weapon, so Mr Booth returned to the till, handed over all the notes and took out the coin tray.
The offender then ran off with just the notes.
Mr Booth then called police. Officers including dog handlers and the Armed Offenders Squad were quickly on the scene.
Mrs Booth, who was painting a wall directly behind the till, said she only realised there was a problem when she looked at her son's face.
She described the offender as "agitated".
"You felt he didn't really want to do it," Mr Booth added.
"He was desperate."
With help from the public, police quickly located a 17-year-old Havelock North youth at a nearby address.
The youth has been charged with aggravated robbery and was scheduled to appear in the Hastings District Court today.
An imitation pistol was also recovered, but the money taken was still missing.
Having taken over the shop a year ago, after it had been closed for some months, Mr Booth, who often works alone, is now uncertain if he will continue with the business.
