Witnesses sought to cash van robbery

Police investigating the aggravated robbery of a cash-in-transit van in the north of Hamilton this morning are urging witnesses to come forward.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of Hamilton CIB said the crew of the van were confronted by two balaclava-clad men outside the Westfield Shopping Centre in Chartwell at 11.50am.

"One of the offenders was armed with a firearm and the other with a metal bar. They approached the cash-in-transit van, threatened the security staff, and made off with a large sum of cash.

"Initial witness statements describe the offenders fleeing the scene in a green and silver Subaru station-wagon driven by a third offender on to Hukanui Rd."

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the robbery, or saw a car matching the description of the offenders' car.

Detectives were reviewing security camera footage from the area and speaking to the victims, who were shaken but unhurt by their ordeal, Mr Thornton said.

- NZPA