When Joseph Sua entered a Papatoetoe petrol station he held a copy of the Herald's Crimescene column and asked the sole attendant if he recognised the man in the picture.
After looking at the picture and then at Sua the attendant said: "I think that's you, mate."
Sua then replied:
"It is me, give me your money or I'll shoot you."
The Challenge petrol station holdup on March 8 is the latest unusual approach Sua has taken in robberies in the past few months, which have netted him more than $1000.
Police believe he needs the money to support a methamphetamine addiction and are asking for help from the public to find him.
Detective Ian McGill said Sua was considered dangerous because of his intimidating and threatening behaviour towards victims and his addiction.
Sua's first known robbery was in December when he handed staff at the Flat Bush Kiwibank a threatening note and demanded money.
Not content with his haul, he phoned the bank manager several days later asking for more. He wanted the manager to meet him outside with a bag of cash but didn't show up when he realised the police had been alerted.
After a story in the Herald, Sua was arrested and appeared in court but was released on bail.
In February he breached his bail conditions by going back to the Kiwibank with what staff believed was a weapon in his pocket.
He reminded staff who he was and indicated he wasn't happy with the amount he got last time.
He left with $800. Earlier in the day he had been at a jewellery store in Papatoetoe, pulling a knife on the owner. He fled the store without any money or jewellery.
In the latest incident he took a copy of the Crimescene column - in which the jewellery store and bank hold-ups featured - into the Challenge station in Papatoetoe. He fled when a customer walked in.
Police are also investigating a number of other robberies in the Counties Manukau District, including one on Wednesday in which a man handed a threatening note to staff at the Kiwibank in old Papatoetoe, to see if Sua was involved.
"He is another example of a criminal committing these serious crimes to support his methamphetamine habit," Mr McGill said.
Police want to hear from anyone with information about Sua's whereabouts and are prepared to pay for the tip that leads to his arrest.
"Due to the seriousness of this offending in the past few months police are prepared to pay from their informant fund ... for information leading to the ... successful apprehension of Sua."
Sua's history
Dec 7 - Robs Kiwibank Dawson Rd, Flat Bush.
Dec 9 - Tries to rob Kiwibank Dawson Rd, Flat Bush.
Feb 27 - Pulls out a knife at Roop Shinjaar Jewellery Shop, Papatoetoe.
Feb 27 - Robs Kiwibank Dawson Rd, Flat Bush.
March 8 - Tries to rob Challenge Service Station, Papatoetoe.
* Do you know where Sua is? Phone Counties Manukau Crime Squad - 027 488-0994 or Detective Ian McGill on 027 671-2378.
Joseph Sua has robbed the Kiwibank in Flat Bush twice
When Joseph Sua entered a Papatoetoe petrol station he held a copy of the Herald's Crimescene column and asked the sole attendant if he recognised the man in the picture.
After looking at the picture and then at Sua the attendant said: "I think that's you, mate."
Sua then replied:
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