Machete-wielding robber still at large

File photo / NZ Herald

A masked, machete-wielding robber and his accomplice who robbed a store this morning are at large.

Invercargill Police said the two men, both masked, entered the Gladstone Night 'n Day dairy in Dee Street at about 1am.

"With their faces concealed and one wielding a machete they obtained money and tobacco before leaving on foot towards Hensley Street," Acting Inspector Mike Bowman said.

An employee of the dairy was unharmed during the incident. Police are hunting the two alleged robbers.

There have been a spate of dairy robberies in the city over the over the past two months. But police said the incidents were unrelated and cops had arrested alleged offenders in all but one of those robberies.

Meanwhile, Mr Bowman said Police were still continuing their inquiries into an aggravated robbery at the Elles Road Night 'n Day store on 15 November.

Police said shop owners should "be mindful of their own safety" and co-operate if confronted with a similar situation.

"It's important to stay calm, obey what an offender is saying but also to observe as much as possible to obtain a description of the offender or the direction they leave in," Mr Bowman said. "It's also important to preserve any evidence."

Mr Bowman said people with any information about this morning's aggravated robbery should telephone Detective Scott McConachie on 03 211-0450. Police said information could also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.