Police seeking witnesses to aggravated robbery

Police are seeking witnesses to an aggravated robbery of a dairy near Palmerston North Hospital last night.

Detective Sergeant Ashley Gurney said two men and a woman entered the Heretaunga Hospital Store about 6.40pm and threatened the shop owner with a knife and hammer before making off with cash, cigarettes and other personal items.

The group ran down Florence Avenue, and drove away in a dark coloured four-door sedan.

"These types of crimes are very distressing to victims as well as their families," Mr Gurney said.

"The use of weapons by two of the offenders is disturbing to police also and we are very keen to locate these offenders as soon as possible to ensure this type of behaviour is dealt with appropriately."

Mr Gurney said police wanted to hear from anyone who was in the Heretaunga Street hospital area in the early evening yesterday.

- NZPA