Appeal for information – Swansea Road aggravated robbery

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Hawke's Bay Police are appealing for information following an aggravated robbery at the Fish and Chip shop in the Swansea Road village, Flaxmere, Hastings. The robbery occurred around 7:15pm, on Sunday 12 August.

Three offenders, wearing red bandanas over their faces have entered the store and jumped over the counter before assaulting the workers and taking money from the till. One of the offenders was held onto by the store workers and customers as they tried to escape, before getting away, and their shoe was left behind. The offenders then ran from the store towards the Sunderland Drive area.

Inquiries have so far revealed one offender riding a bicycle in the area for over an hour prior to entering the fish and chip store. The victims have sustained minor physical injuries, and are quite shaken by the incident.

This was a busy time of the night with plenty of families and people in the village, and a few members of the public were seen speaking to the offenders prior to them disguising themselves.

Police are appealing to those present around the time of the incident, and the wider Flaxmere community, to assist in identifying these individuals.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Constable Karli Whiu at the Hastings Police Station on (06) 873 0500, or alternatively, information can be passed through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: NZ Police website.