Rodney Police are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying an armed male offender who has been directly involved in several robberies in the Auckland Metropolitan region.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Burke Officer In Charge of the Rodney CIB says at 12.24 hours on Monday 2 February 2009 a male entered the ASB, Orewa Branch at 348 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa.
There were a number of customers in the bank at the time. The male has waited patiently in the queue and has then approached the teller and demanded cash. He has been carrying a bag and has shown the female teller the double barrels of a weapon thought to be a 12 gauge shot gun.
The offender has been given an amount of cash and he has left the bank on foot. A member of the public followed the man to Tamariki Avenue Orewa, but then lost sight of him.
The offender is described as:
Male
Probably Caucasian
40 years plus
180 cm plus (6'0")
Medium build
Wearing:
White tee shirt or similar tied around head
Sunglasses
Blue long sleeved shirt (dark)
Blue track pants (dark)
Sandals
Carrying a dark coloured bag
Since this incident there have been three other similar robberies that have been carried out in Browns Bay, Panmure, and Pakuranga in the past few weeks.
They have all been retail banking premises, where a sole male has entered the branch premises and held up the staff. A weapon has been presented on each of these occasions.
In all instances the offender has made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The staffs affected are all receiving counseling for their ordeal.
"This man is dangerous and he needs to be caught quickly. His confidence will be such that he's likely to strike again. The fact that he is in possession of a large shot gun during these robberies is a real concern," Detective Burke said.
Anyone with information on the identity or sightings of this man can contact the Rodney CIB immediately on 09 427 9804 - Rodney CIB is based at the Orewa Police Station.
End:
Kevin Loughlin
Communications Manager
Waitemata Police District Headquarters | North Shore City
Phone: +64 9 488 9758 | Mobile: 027 281 0271 |* kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz