Sketch issued of Kamo Hotel robber suspect

This is the face of a young man police believe was involved in the armed robbery of Kamo Hotel.

The sketch was drawn by a police artist based on witness descriptions of the male Maori in his early 20s, of solid build.

He is pictured with a hood pulled over his head, as he was wearing a read hooded sweatshirt at the time of the armed robbery just before 5pm on May 8.

Police have also released another security camera picture of the robber wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and grey trackpants prior to him pulling on a black shirt to carry out the robbery.

Officers will this week drop a flyer to businesses and residents in the Kamo area featuring the sketch and photo in a bid to track down the robber.

The red sweatshirt has a distinctive black and white logo on it and a single front pocket.

Detective Sergeant John Miller urged anyone who might recognise the man or the sweatshirt to come forward immediately.

Officers have scoured surveillance footage gathered from around Kamo and have spoken to people who spotted the man before the robbery and now have a good idea of the robber's movements.

Mr Miller said the man was seen loitering around the Dive Inn business next to the hotel before the robbery. They have tracked him going down an alleyway by Omak Butchery into a carpark area, where he may have put his black shirt and balaclava on in a public toilet.

The man slipped into Kamo Hotel's public bar, through a side door, demanded money and fled through the carpark, then back through an alleyway near Omak Butchery and then crossed Kamo Rd.

He was last seen on Grant St.

"We believe he is familiar with the area," Mr Miller said.

No one was injured during the aggravated robbery and some patrons in the bar were unaware of the masked man. The first they knew of the crime was when police officers walked into the bar.

If you recognise this man or can help police, call Mr Miller at Whangarei station on 09 430 4500 or anonymously on 0800 Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111.