Manhunt in Tauranga south after latest armed robbery

A heavy police presence has been felt in Tauranga South this afternoon following reports of an aggravated robbery of another dairy.

The Carlisle St Convenience Store was robbed by two men about 2.20pm. It is understood one was armed with a hammer, the other with a knife.

Money and cigarettes were believed to have been stolen.

A friend of the husband and wife dairy owners tried comforting the couple this afternoon, after the attack.

The man, who would not be named, told the Bay of Plenty Times the offenders threatened to kill the staff in the store and made off with cash and cigarettes.

"I've just left the shop. They are very, very scared," he said.

Police were combing through the neighbourhood to track down the men. A reporter saw several police cars at an address on Cheyne Rd.

Officers have also been seen stopping cars and asking drivers to identify photos of men.

Police at the scene initially refused to comment, saying a media release would be issued at a later point.

The robbery is the latest in a string of attacks on dairies and liquor store outlets in Tauranga.

On Wednesday night a man wielding a hammer tried to rob the Quality Food and Spices store on Cameron Rd. The attack came just 24 hours after a female staff member at a United Video was left traumatised after two men, one armed with a machete, held up the store and fled with a small amount of cash.

The Lucky 7 Superette on Maungatapu Rd was also robbed on April 26.