Police in Tokoroa are hunting for a man who robbed and then kidnapped dairy owners, last night.
The incident began at approximately 10.10pm as the Amber Dairy on Bridge Street was being closed for the night. As the female victim waited in a vehicle for the male victim to lock the premises, a man approached her car with a firearm and forced her to return to the shop.
After stealing takings from the shop he then forced the victims to drive him around Tokoroa in a silver Toyota saloon car. He counted the cash before forcing them to make a withdrawal at an ATM machine on Bridge Street and then go back to the shop a second time to get more money.
He then got the victims to drive him to State Highway One where he got out of the vehicle by the Mobil Service Station and was last seen walking north on the highway.
The victims were threatened but not harmed throughout the ordeal which was approximately 40 minutes in duration.
The offender is described as possibly a Maori or Pacific Islander, aged 20 to 25, medium build but tall; approximately 180 to 185cms. He was wearing dark clothes and a blue and white bandana across his face. The amount of cash stolen is not being disclosed.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Tokoroa Police on 07 885 0100. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.