Police are investigating an aggravated robbery in Hamilton which happened shortly after midday today.
Four males, believed to be youths, entered the store on Bankwood Rd and presented what appeared to be an imitation firearm at a staff member and demanded money.
The shopkeeper refused to hand over the money and was punched in the face.
"Police are supporting the victim who is understandably shaken by the event," detective Sergeant Nicola Cornes said.
![Another view of the robbers in the Bankwood Rd, Hamilton, dairy. Photo / NZ Police](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/24PB4ERSFRRF43VTCNKVQ2T6VM.jpg?auth=e63fb35d1149841b85c8c49666376d1e3db02dc4d3dd49f000f3c945121ca39f&width=16&height=15&quality=70&smart=true)
"Police would like to assure the public that we take incidents of this nature very seriously and are committed to holding the offenders accountable."
If anyone has any information on the robbery, or the people believed to have been involved, they are asked to please contact Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200.
Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.