Robbers target Kaitaia liquor store

One of two men who robbed the Cactus Liquor store, as caught on CCTV.

Police are calling on the public to help identify the two men who robbed Cactus Liquor in Kaitaia on Saturday night.

Constable Thomas Nankivell said two men entered the bottle store, behind the old Kaitaia Hotel, about 9.20pm. One was armed with a hammer, the other with a bat. Both were wearing hoodies and gloves and had covered their faces.

They confronted the salesman, the offender with the bat threatening and demanding that he open the cash register. The employee went to the till and opened it, then tried to go to the rear of the premises as the offenders took the money out of it. He was again threatened as he went to the door, while the other offender was taking items including cigarettes, and a bottle of Cashmere Cream liqueur.

The offender with the bat continued to intimidate the employee, until his associate said they had to go. At that point they left the store.

A silver/white, four-door, minivan-type vehicle was seen leaving the old Warehouse carpark area about three minutes after the offenders left the scene.

Police do not know if it was linked with the robbery but are keen to identify it, hoping that if it was not involved the driver/occupants will be able to assist the inquiry. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mr Nankivell on (09) 408 6500.

The Kaitaia robbery came just a week after teenage girls armed with tomahawks robbed Super Liquor in Kerikeri, making off with cash and a backpack full of spirits. The Kerikeri offenders have yet to be caught.

And, on May 1, two men walked into Cactus Liquor in Whangarei and ran out with three bottles of non-alcoholic wine and a Greek fortified wine, and jumped into a black two-door BMW hatchback getaway car. They were caught on CCTV, but have yet to be arrested.