Attempted robbery with water pistol a washout

An "unprofessional" man who attempted to rob a Matua store by pointing a water pistol at the store's owner failed to leave with any money.
The attempted aggravated robbery is the second in nearly as many weeks where a woman working by herself has been targeted by armed offenders demanding cash.
On this occasion, the man is reported to have entered the Matua Foodmarket in Tilby Drive at 12.22pm on Sunday carrying a water pistol.
Store owner Kamal Kaur was working inside when she was approached by a man wearing a grey mask who showed her the "gun" and demanded money.
"He didn't get anything, he didn't take anything, he was not even here for a minute and he left," she said.
Ms Kaur said the weapon was a water pistol and she was not intimidated in any way.
"I wasn't frightened ... he was very unprofessional."
Detective Sergeant Eddie Lyttle said police were still looking for the man.
It was unclear if he had a vehicle or accomplice and police appealed for information from anyone in the area who might have noticed suspicious behaviour. There was no one else inside the store and it was raining heavily at the time.
"Police are keen to hear from any people who were in the area around that time who may have seen this person," Mr Lyttle said.
The man is described as possibly Maori, about 20 and 1.65m tall. He was wearing a dark-coloured, possibly navy-blue, hoodie and dark-coloured pants.
On August 28, a woman working by herself at Cruzaz Bar in the neighbouring suburb of Otumoetai was targeted in another aggravated robbery. The offender is still wanted.
Mr Lyttle said he could not rule out that the two incidents were linked. Anyone with information can call the Crimestoppers hotline confidentially on 0800 555 111.