Worker threatened with weapon as two Hawke’s Bay bottle stores robbed

Police have arrested two people following reports of robberies of two bottle stores in Napier and Hastings early on Wednesday night.

A police spokesperson said the first was about 5.10pm in Durham Ave, in the Napier shopping centre suburb of Tamatea, and the second “a short time later”, on Maraekakaho Rd, Camberley.

In Tamatea, offenders took “a number of items” before fleeing the area, and soon afterwards, police were called to the Hastings premises.

The spokesperson said in Hastings, offenders threatened an employee with a weapon, “not a firearm”, and also took items and fled the scene.

“Thankfully, no employees were harmed during these incidents, however, they are understandably shaken.”

Police inquiries led to the finding and arrest of two people in relation to the incidents, a statement said.

A 19-year-old was appearing in Hastings District Court on Thursday charged with aggravated robbery and breach of bail. Police did not reveal the age of the second person but said mid-morning on Thursday the person had not yet been charged.