Gunmen rob petrol station

A petrol station attendant is "traumatised" after a gunpoint robbery in Palmerston North early yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Grayson Joines of Palmerston North police said two "heavily disguised" men entered the Mobil Service Station on the corner of Tremaine Ave and Rangitikei St around 4am and confronted the 60-year-old lone employee with a firearm.

The attendant was forced into a rear room while the robbers ransacked the shop for tobacco products and cash before fleeing on foot.

It was thought they had a vehicle nearby.

Mr Joines said the men also stole "an item of interest", which was later found in the Longburn area.

"The attendant was not physically harmed but was traumatised as a result of being threatened by the male assailant holding the firearm."

He said police had "excellent video footage" and would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time.

On Saturday a Rotorua service station was also robbed at gunpoint and a small amount of cash taken.

- NZPA