Rotorua police are looking to the public to help find two men who went into a central city petrol station and stole money and cigarettes.
Police were called to the Rotorua Caltex on the corner of Amohau and Ranolf Sts about 5.30am on Saturday after two men demanded money from the sole attendant, who had been working an 11pm to 7am shift.
Detective Sergeant John Wilson, of the Rotorua police, said no weapons had been visible but the robbers scared the employee with their threatening demeanour. He said the men got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and food.
Mr Wilson said both of those involved had been described as Maori and in their early to mid-20s.
"One was wearing a black hoody with the number 30 on the back. This offender is about 173cm tall, with short dark hair, and of athletic build," he said.
"The other was wearing a white hoody, about 182cm tall, and of athletic build."
He said such incidents didn't happen often in Rotorua but when they did they were of concern to police.
"Here we have a law-abiding citizen just trying to earn a wage," Mr Wilson said.
The service station attendant was uninjured but shaken from the incident, Caltex site manager Sandeep Tennyson said.
"He's in shock, lucky he was not hurt," he said.
The pair had seemed to be under the influence of alcohol, Mr Tennyson said. The robbery had lasted about five minutes and, as soon as the pair left, the staff member pushed the panic alarm and police arrived minutes later.
He said the offenders stole about $2000 worth of stock and cash, and the store had to be closed for four hours, which would have cost them up to $4000 in takings.
Anyone with information about the aggravated robbery or who may have been in the area at the time should contact Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099, 0800 TIPOFF.
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