Police want help to catch a man who pointed a gun at a traumatised Dargaville dairy worker before fleeing with cash and cigarettes.
The robbery happened about 4.15pm on Tuesday at the Hilltop Dairy on Awakino Rd, Dargaville. Police said the female proprietor, who was alone in the shop, was confronted by a man pointing a long-barrelled firearm at her. The man made off with an amount of cash and a number of packets of cigarettes, fleeing on foot south on Awakino Rd towards Ranfurly St.
The 49-year-old female victim, although physically unhurt, was traumatised by the incident and has received support from Victim Support. The robber, whose age is unknown, is of thin to medium build and about 170-180 cm tall. He was wearing a grey coloured hooded sweatshirt, white peaked cap, sunglasses, grey long trousers and sports shoes. He possibly had a red bandanna around the lower part of his face and neck.
Anyone around the vicinity of the Hilltop Dairy at the time, on Awakino Rd or Ranfurly St/Kauri St, and who noticed anything suspicious is asked to contact police. In particular, police want to speak to two men seen driving a beige or tan coloured twin-cab ute.
Anyone with information can contact the Dargaville CIB on (09) 439 3400 and ask for Detective Sergeant Jonathan Tier, or Detective Andrew Bailey or Detective Shawn House. Information may be also be left anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Hilltop Dairy was previously robbed on May 29, 2012.
