Gunmen on the run after robbing dairy

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are appealing for witnesses after a dairy in Hamilton was robbed last night by armed gunmen who got away with cigarettes.

Police were called to a dairy on Heaphy Tce after reports of a store owner being confronted by a gunman, city area commander Inspector Rob Lindsay said.

"It appears two men wearing balaclavas burst into the store about 8.45pm and demanded cash and cigarettes from the male proprietor.

"One of the offenders was armed with what we believe was a sawn-off shotgun and when confronted by the offenders the store owner grabbed the firearm which was discharged into the floor."

A second man then grabbed handfuls of cigarettes before the pair fled the store, getting into a waiting four-door sedan driven by a third person.

Lives were more precious than property, Mr Lindsay said.

He urged people confronted with such dangers to comply with the demands rather then risk lives.

- NZPA