Pineapple lumps thrown at gunman

A Tauranga dairy-owner threw a packet of pineapple lumps at a masked gunman who demanded money.

The robber, carrying a pistol and wearing black clothing and a mask, burst into the Viking Dairy on Otumoetai Rd about 6pm on Wednesday.

"He had a gun pointed at me and asked for money. I told him no," said the owner, who did not want to be named for fear of being attacked again.

"He asked a second time and I said no again.

"I threw a bag of $2 pineapple lumps at him as he was running out the door."

The raider left empty-handed.

While the owner was not attacked, police are extremely concerned about a series of violent Bay of Plenty armed hold-ups. They fear the trend will not end until the use of methamphetamine, or P, is stamped out.

In the latest raid, there were no other customers in the shop at the time.

Police believe the man ran off down Otumoetai Rd or Grange Rd.

Detective Sergeant Mel Ridley said police were unable to explain the rise in aggravated crimes, but P was an underlying factor.

"I know it's a major contributing factor to a number of aggravated robberies we have had. It's the major one because more and more people are using it, and we know the psychotic behaviour P brings out in people."

Two weeks ago, Welcome Bay Tavern co-owner Brian Toner was smashed repeatedly about the head with a metal bar, well after he had been knocked to the ground.

"It just shows us how cowardly and brutal these guys are. He was totally compliant," Mr Ridley said.

Police suspect it was a drug-fuelled attack but cannot be sure of the substance. They have security camera footage of the incident - which gives a rough idea of what the offenders look like - but have not yet been able to track the culprits.

In other recent attacks, a Mt Maunganui publican was bashed on the arm with an iron bar and his briefcase stolen.

Two balaclava-clad robbers armed with a knife and softball bat broke into the Seafarers Bar and Grill on Hull Rd early last month and repeatedly threatened to kill two female staff.

Two days later, a man with a knife stole confectionery from Domain Rd's Shell station in Papamoa. A man was arrested and charged the next day.

Another man was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in his own car by three men on June 28, then on July 7 four armed intruders smashed their way into a Bay house and beat a man with a metal pipe before demanding money and drugs.

Mr Ridley said it was too early to say whether any of the crimes were linked.

- NZPA