KEY POINTS:
A lone gunman has held up a central Wellington brothel, escaping with "a large amount of cash", police say.
Detective Sergeant Mike Patz said a man walked into the Vivian St premises of Il Bordello with a sawn-off rifle about 11.40 last night.
He demanded money from the brothel's female receptionist at gunpoint and escaped with "a large amount of cash".
He described the man as European, in his 30s, slimly built and wearing dark clothing including a beanie.
He said the receptionist was in shock.
"She was grabbed as she tried to flee. Although she has no physical injuries she was very traumatised by the incident."
The robber fled through the back of the brothel and possibly left in a dark coloured saloon-style car that was in the Swan Lane and Marion Street areas around the time of the robbery.
Police are seeking anyone who was in the area at the time who could help them with a description of the gunman or the car.
- NZPA
