Dairy held up for fourth time

Milesh Kumar will not give up his business, despite repeated robberies. Photo / Stephen Parker

A Rotorua dairy owner robbed four times says a gun-toting thug will not force him to give up the business he loves.

Milesh Kumar said Tuesday night's alleged aggravated robbery was "scary" but was a risk he took every day.

Before that incident Mr Kumar was targeted most recently in January when a knife-wielding man escaped with $200. He was stopped by witnesses and held until police arrived.

In 2011 he and his wife, Manisha, fended off two armed women by hurling cans and bottles of soft drink at them.

On Tuesday it was one of their staff members who was allegedly threatened while Mr Kumar was nearby. He said he got his employee to move towards safety and took control of the situation.

"It's happened a few times before and your blood is pumping but this is the third serious incident.

"I'm experienced at it now. I remained pretty calm. He was going to get some money."

He said he had previously been advised to comply with an robber's demands, which was why he threw cigarettes and cash at the man.

"We've been here nine years and this is the fourth incident. When you average it out it's one every two years. It shouldn't happen at all, but if we left, it would be like we're giving in.

"We've got a lot of loyal customers who look out for us.

"We have to keep on going but we definitely worry about our safety. When you have a gun pointing at you ... I'm a bit wiser to the consequences now."

Armed police searched an address in Malfroy Rd in the early hours of yesterday where officers found a vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery. They arrested a 23-year-old man. Later they arrested a 22-year-old man at another Rotorua address. Cash, cigarettes and a gun were found.

Two men appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday charged with aggravated robbery.

Sunset Pricecutter robberies

July 7, 2015: Two men were charged with aggravated robbery after allegedly brandishing a pistol.

January 26, 2015: A young man armed with a knife allegedly robbed the store of nearly $200. Witnesses held him until police arrived.

January 25, 2011: Milesh Kumar and his wife, Manisha, fended off two armed women by hurling cans and bottles of soft drink at them.

May 17, 2006: Held up by a man armed with a .308 rifle.