KEY POINTS:
An armed robber hit three service stations and a dairy in a 45-minute crime spree across Auckland today.
Armed with a black pistol and a large knife, he escaped with cash, cigarettes, phone cards and confectionary.
No shots were fired and no one was hurt, police said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Breach said the man struck first at a service station in New North Road, Mt Albert, at 6.32am.
A few minutes later he hit a service station in nearby Great North Road and just after 7am robbed a petrol station in Park Road, Grafton.
His fourth target was a dairy in Gladstone Road, Parnell, at 7.15am.
The robber was described as a light-skinned Maori or Polynesian aged between 30 and 40, with a slim to medium build and between 162cm and 170cm tall.
He wore blue jeans and a black hooded top with the word "chemical" inscribed on it.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen suspicious activity today, or in the last couple of days.
The robber must have had a vehicle to travel between the three service stations and dairy, police said.
Anyone with information can ring police on 302 6789.
- NZPA
