City liquor store goes through second armed raid

Police are turning to the public for information.

A Whangarei liquor store owner is considering hiring a security guard to stand at the front door following a second robbery in a month involving a masked robber wielding a gun.

It is the sixth robbery involving firearms in three months in Whangarei.

The last four robberies have been of liquor stores. Police are so concerned they are appealing to the public to help identify the robbers before someone is seriously injured or killed.

They have released a security camera photo from the latest robbery, showing a man with his face covered, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and holding a gun.

The business owner, who did not want to be named as he feared for his safety, was back at work yesterday and vowing to continue to keep the Whangarei Liquor Centre on Maunu Rd open after the armed robbery about 7pm on Tuesday.

A month ago, the Liquor Centre was robbed of cash and cigarettes by a man wearing a dark hoodie and bandanna covering his face. That robber presented a weapon, believed to be a firearm, and demanded money and cigarettes.

The shop worker handed over cash and cigarettes and the robber was last seen running down the alley towards First Ave. On Tuesday, it was a case of deja vu. "He was wearing a black hoodie and holding a gun at me, asking for money," the shop owner said. "I gave it to him and he ran away."

Since the first robbery, the owner has installed an outside security light but had concerns about there being no lighting in Carruth Park, which bordered the shop.

"We are doing our best, it's not an easy job. We are considering a security guard now at nights." Police yesterday put out a call to the public to help to identify offenders involved in the recent string of armed robberies. Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie said offenders were becoming more brazen by carrying firearms.

"Someone must know who is carrying out these robberies, and they need to stand up and speak out now before someone gets seriously hurt." Mr Begbie also urged members of the public to call police if they saw suspicious activity outside any liquor store or noticed any behaviour that caused concern.

"Police are also working with the liquor store owners and their workers to give them safety advice. If anyone is confronted by an armed offender, do not challenge them and comply with any of their requests," he said.

Anyone with information can contact Whangarei police on (09) 430 4500.