Hamilton police on hunt for brazen, armed pub robber

Do you know this man? Hamilton police want to speak to him in relation to an armed robbery of the Yard House pub, Nawton, on Saturday night. Photo/Police

Hamilton police have released CCTV images of a man wanted in relation to an armed robbery of a busy pub.

The man, whose actions can only be described as "brazen", walked into the busy suburban pub, Yard House, during its bustling dinner service at 7.20pm on Saturday and demanded cash from the two women behind the bar.

Detective Alistair Hall said once inside, the man placed a gun on the counter, amidst the crowd at the bar, leaving the staff no choice but to hand over a large amount of cash.

Hamilton police are hunting this man in relation to an armed robbery at the Yard House pub on Saturday night. Photo/police

The man initially walked into the centre from Durham St around the building to the pub.

He then spent about eight minutes walking around the Grandview Shopping Centre in Nawton before going inside, Hill said.

The man was wearing dark skinny jeans, a hooded jacket, baseball cap and white sneakers and is spotted on CCTV peering inside the bar. He then walks inside, through the crowd, approaches the bar and places the gun on the counter.

The man then pulls up a purple-coloured bandanna over the bottom of his face and threatened the two staff.

After handing over the large amount of cash the man has fled, leaving the two frightened staff members uninjured inside.

"It's 7.20pm, it's a busy mall, there's a lot of foot traffic in the area and were a number of patrons inside the bar. It was quite brazen, quite ballsy to go in there when it's so busy," Hill said.

It's unclear what direction the man went from Durham St after leaving the pub.

Anyone who recognised the man in the CCTV images or seen him around the area on Saturday night is urged to contact Hamilton police on 07 858 6200.

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