Girl robbed of streetside orange sale takings

The girl was left intimidated and terrified after the encounter. Photo / Thinkstock

Gisborne police are appealing for information after a girl selling oranges on the side of the road was robbed of her takings and left terrified by a teenager.

He made off with more than $100.

The girl's family has offered a reward for information leading to a successful conviction.

Her mother Ange Dolman said she was selling the oranges to help pay for extra sports tuition.

"She did not have any luck finding a job, so my husband and I, who have a small citrus orchard, told her that if she wanted to pick oranges she could sell them and keep the profit," she said.

"This was her third week and things were going so well for her. After school on a Friday she would pick up the fruit, then after sport on Saturday she went over to Wainui Road and sold them.

"She was left intimidated and terrified by a male who decided he deserved the day's takings more than her.

"I would like to thank the passersby who stopped to see if she was OK, and the police who were there within minutes.

"If you know who was responsible, please contact the Gisborne police. We want this coward to be made accountable, so are offering a reward that will be given upon conviction."

He was described as a tall teenager, fair-skinned, of Maori descent.

- NZPA