Lynmore Superette robbed: 'It feels like a nightmare'

Police are seeking information from the public after two armed men robbed the Lynmore Superette last night. Photo/Ben Fraser

The owners of a Lynmore dairy robbed by armed men want to return to normalcy after the "nightmare" incident.

Two men entered the Lynmore Superette on the corner of Lynmore Ave and Lynbert Rd armed with weapons about 6.30pm last night and demanded money from the owners.

Some property in the store was damaged before the offenders left with cigarettes and an undisclosed sum of money.

The dairy owners, who asked not to be named, took over the superette 14 years ago.

"We came here from Fiji," one said.

"We were in Auckland for about six weeks before we came here, we just loved Rotorua and thought this was the ideal place for us."

They said they had felt safe in the Lynmore community and had only been robbed once before.

"We know so many people here, they're more than friends, they're like family to us.

"That's probably why we enjoy it so much, because of the community that we're in."

They were nervous to return to work this morning.

"It feels like a nightmare.

"We'd like it to return to normalcy now.

"It's a secure place here in Lynmore, but you can't be 100 per cent sure sometimes."

Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said the offence was a serious one.

"[The offence] carries 14 years' imprisonment and has a significant effect on the victims as well as an impact on other business owners and the community as a whole.

"We need the public the talk to us about what they know concerning those responsible for the offence.

"While no one was hurt on this occasion the risk to people's safety is significant when desperate offenders commit crimes like this one."

One of the offenders is described as male Maori of large build, wearing black pants, a black hoodie or similar Swanndri-like top and wearing a pair of black and white shoes.

The other is a male Maori of muscular build also wearing black track pants and a black hoodie. He had a red bandanna over his face, and was wearing black and white shoes.

Any information can be provided to either Rotorua police (07) 349 9400 or Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.