Rotorua store hit by armed robbery, about $9000 in goods taken

Armed robbers have allegedly taken thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, liquor and cash as a bottle store manager was closing for the night.

Police say they are investigating after three people entered the Marguerita St store in Rotorua about 8pm on Tuesday, one armed with a metal pole.

“They have demanded the staff member hand over money and cigarettes and have taken a number of items from the store before leaving,” a spokesman said.

“Within three minutes of police being alerted, the suspect vehicle was seen driving along Fenton St where it failed to stop when signalled by police.

“The vehicle was found abandoned near the intersection of Rimu and Miller Sts,” the spokesman said.

“This was a distressing incident for the victim, who managed to remain calm and attempt to de-escalate the situation. He is being provided with support.”

The owner of Thirsty Liquor on Marguerita St, Tarsem Singh, today told the Rotorua Daily Post he felt helpless after the incident.

“My manager was here, ready to lock up when they came in. He couldn’t do anything as there were three of them, [one] with a pipe in their hand.

“He couldn’t help himself so they took the keys for the smoke cabinet from him. They took the smokes and liquor and money from the till.”

Singh said his manager was “pretty shocked”.

“There were no injuries, they just threatened him and he did what they asked him to do.”

Singh estimated between $8000 to $9000 worth of items were stolen.

“I feel helpless.”

Singh said his store was ram-raided earlier this year but this was first time the store has been robbed when staff members were there.

Police said inquiries were ongoing.