Canterbury robberies may be linked - police

A knife-wielding man who attempted to rob a Christchurch bank yesterday could be linked to a spate of raids across Canterbury during the past three weeks.

Police are investigating whether there is a link between the seven robberies at banks, dairies, a pharmacy, a PostShop and a hotel, The Press newspaper reported.

Sergeant Mark Keane, of Christchurch police, said the man fled from the ASB Asian banking centre on Riccarton Rd around 11.20am yesterday.

While some aspects of the crime were well thought out, the fact that the bank never held any cash on its premises meant that it was not the best place to rob, Mr Keane said.

The man, who was described as wearing all black, fled the scene in a stolen Nissan Bluebird which was recovered a short distance away near Riccarton Bush.

Police were carrying out forensic investigations of the vehicle and were looking through CCTV footage of the crime.

It was unclear if anyone else was involved in the attempted armed robbery but only one man entered the bank.

The attempted robbery had similarities with a June 18 robbery at ANZ bank in Avonhead and a June 26 robbery at a PostShop in St Albans, which involved two men who left in stolen cars that were found abandoned.

Police believe two different men could be involved in the robbery of two Christchurch dairies which were held up within an hour on Tuesday night.

In one of the incidents a Glock-style pistol was used, although it could have been an airgun or an imitation weapon.

Descriptions of the pair were similar in both incidents. The men were in their teens or 20s, and the man with the gun wore jeans and a black fleece, possibly hooded.

- NZPA