Update Te Awamutu bank robbery

 

Waikato Police investigating yesterday’s gunpoint robbery of a Te Awamutu bank say they hope images and CCTV footage recorded before the robbery will allow the public to help them identify the offender.    Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe of the Western Waikato CIB said Police were called to the ASB bank on George St about 4.15pm after reports of an armed offender targeting the premises.   “An offender has entered the bank and presented what was described as being a cut down shotgun at a teller and demanded cash.   “He has then fled the bank with an amount of cash, running down an alleyway towards the rear of the adjacent Countdown Supermarket. At this point in time it is unclear if the offender had a vehicle nearby and we have not ruled this out from our inquiries.”   Mr Crowe said there were two customers in the bank at the time of the aggravated robbery along with two tellers and a manager in the immediate vicinity.   “There were other bank staff in the building at the time but they were unaware of what had happened until the facility was locked down.   “In addition to working on identifying the offender, a real priority for us was ensuring those members of the public and staff affected by this incident were referred to Victim Support. The bank is also enacting mechanisms of their own to help debrief and assist their staff.”   Mr Crowe said CCTV footage was recorded before the offender entered the bank and before he disguised his face, this has enabled a more accurate description of the offender to be made available.   “We are seeking a shaven headed Maori or Polynesian male of solid/stocky build wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt with a white drawstring at the hood which was over his head at the time of the robbery. The man also used a scarf to obscure his lower face.   “He was also wearing dark long pants, dark and light blue sand shoes and carrying a dark coloured back-pack styled bag on his back.”   Mr Crowe said such incidents are relatively rare in the Waipa area.  Police hope to be able to identify and arrest the offender as soon as possible to prevent any further offending by him.   “Any situation where an offender is threatening other people with a firearm is very serious and poses a real risk not just to the victims but to any innocent member of the public who might have chanced by. Police ask anyone who may recognise the offender not to approach him but to ring 111 immediately.   “Information can be provided confidentially to Te Awamutu Police on 07 8720100 or alternatively, it can be left anonymously with the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.   End