Thugs hunted after garage raid

Police are hunting two men who stormed the Gull petrol station on Omahu Rd and threatened a staff member with a knife. Photo/ Duncan Brown.

Police are hunting two thugs who held up a Hastings service station at knifepoint on Sunday - the second petrol station robbery in as many weeks.

In the latest incident, two men went into the Gull service station in Omahu Rd at about 1.20am armed with knives.

They approached the lone attendant and demanded money from the cash register and cigarettes.

Detectives said the employee had complied with their instructions and they ran off with two grey canvas float bags, cash and cigarettes.

The first raider was described as a male Maori, 172cm tall and of slim build. He was wearing a black puffer jacket, a red scarf covering his face, black sweat pants and black sport shoes with white laces and white trim.

His co-offender was said to be a male Maori, 182cm tall and of slim build. He was wearing a black hoodie, a blue bandana and black and white shoes possibly with red laces.

It is believed both offenders ran across Omahu Rd, through properties and out onto nearby Ballantyne St.

Police want to speak to anyone who saw the robbery or who noticed anyone behaving suspiciously around the service station early on Sunday morning.

While the two men were well-disguised, someone may recognise the clothing and footwear they were wearing.

Just over two weeks earlier a man robbed the Z petrol station on Karamu Rd on Saturday, September 12 about 9pm and threatened the attendant, demanding money from the cash register and cigarettes. He took the items and ran from the shop.

The attendant was unhurt but shaken.

The man ran down Wolseley St and is believed to have run through several properties, jumping fences in that street, Grove Rd, Amanda Place and Fenwick St. A police dog tracked him for short distance but the scent was lost.

He is described as a male Maori wearing a grey hoodie, red bandanna, black pants and had his face covered.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the robbery or who saw the man jumping over fences in the Mayfair area that night.

Officers said the crime was not typically seasonal, nor were there any links yet established between the two incidents.

Aggravated robbery carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.

Anyone with information about the Z robbery should contact Const Rhyan Honeyfield at HB Police on 06 2113779. Likewise for the most recent incident contact Detective Sergeant Craig Vining on 06 8310700.

-Information can also be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.