Waikato hotel owner woken by armed robbers

A Waikato hotelier was woken by two armed intruders, frogmarched to his tavern and forced to empty his safe overnight.

Detective Sergeant Gary Rakena from Matamata/Piako CIB said the proprietor of the Waihou Tavern, 5km west of Te Aroha township, was asleep in his home when two men, armed with a handgun and a knife, broke into his home.

An undisclosed amount of cash and cheques was taken in the robbery -- the second armed robbery in the Matamata/Piako area in the past week.

The two offenders, aged in their mid to late 20s, were dressed in dark clothing.

One was described as part-Maori, of stocky build and approximately 175cm tall.

The second offender, who was also wearing blue jeans and a beanie, was of slight to medium build and about 180cm tall.

No vehicles were seen or heard.

- NZPA