Tuesday, 10 February 2009 - 12:43pm |
Wellington

Police hunt for brothel robber continues

1 min read

Wellington Police say they've had a good response to request for sightings of a gunman who robbed a central city brothel on Sunday night and then fled with a large sum of cash.

Detective Sergeant Mike Patz, Wellington CIB, said police have received several calls from members of the public who saw a dark coloured sedan in the area near Il Bordello in Vivian Street around the time of the 11.40pm robbery.

"We're following this information up and would like to hear from more people who saw suspicious activity in the Vivian Street, Swan Lane and Marion Street areas on Sunday night," he said. "We'd especially like to get more details about the vehicle and the robber who fled through the back of Il Bordello into Swan Lane."

Police are hoping the release of CCTV still photographs might also prompt some fresh information about the identity of the robber. He wore what appears to be blue to green coloured disposable overalls, and was carrying a sawn off firearm.

He's European, in his 30s, and slimly built.

Detective Sergeant Patz praised the actions of the club's female receptionist who was confronted by the gunman.

"She saw him approach the counter with the firearm and swiftly closed a sliding glass panel to try and avoid him," he said. "The offender wasn't deterred, forced open the panel, leapt over the counter, grabbed the victim and forced her to hand over the takings.

"She did well to keep calm in what was a very traumatising sequence of events."

Anyone with information about the robbery, particularly the identity of the gunman and the getaway car, is asked to contact Wellington CIB on 0800 TIPOFF or Wellington Central Police on 381 2000 and ask for the crime car staff.

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