Daylight robbers 'bold, brazen and stupid'

A Kaitaia police officer has labelled the two people who robbed the Korner Dairy, in Pukepoto Road Kaitaia, late on Monday afternoon as bold, brazen and stupid.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson said the pair ran across Pukepoto Road and into the dairy in broad daylight, obviously disguised yet in plain view of pedestrians, motorists and neighbours. They appeared to be males, dressed in dark clothing and with what looked like black stockings over their heads.

"After 10 to 15 seconds of mayhem inside the store the masked men ran from the shop, out into the street and disappeared from view," he said.

Police arrived quickly, and CIB staff had also responded, co-ordinating the police response and conducting a scene examination and search for forensic evidence.

"The owner was obviously shaken but had not been seriously harmed, and the robbers made off with very little for their efforts," Mr Beatson added.

"I would expect they got less than $20 worth of goods, but they have committed a crime that could see them end up in jail for a very long time.

"This is huge-risk, high-stake offending for very, very little reward, and that's where the thoughtlessness and stupidity of their actions lie."

Aggravated robbery carried a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Mr Beatson is appealing to anyone who saw the robbers before, during or after the incident to make contact with him or Detective Richard Garton, who is leading the investigation, at the Kaitaia police station, phone (09) 408-6500.

Any suspicious activity in the Plaza Lane, Te Reinga Street, Pukepoto Road and Puckey Avenue areas should also be reported.

Other similar business owners in the Kaitaia area had been contacted by the police and told of the incident, and they were ready and prepared for the worst, he added. The police had also stepped up patrols in their locations.

"With shop owners being forewarned, they have beefed up security measures and are keeping little of value on-site," he said.

"Robbers will find they have very little to gain but a lot to lose."