Hamilton police hunt man who held up sex shop

File photo / Martin Sykes

Hamilton police are hunting a man who threatened a sex shop worker with a knife before leaving empty-handed on Sunday night.

Detective Chris McRae said the man walked into the Peaches and Cream adult store on Victoria St, Hamilton, about 7.55pm.

"Presenting the knife and threatening the sole female attendant, he then fled the store empty handed," Mr McRae said.

"The man, who had his face covered, was seen running north along Victoria St before turning left on to London St."

Police have reviewed security camera footage in the store and also the images from the City Safe cameras and hoped someone may recall seeing the man.

"Viewing the CCTV, we believe he was sitting on the seat at the bus stop by the Peaches and Cream store entrance on Victoria St for about 15 minutes before the robbery," Mr McRae said.

"There was quite a bit of traffic on the street at this time and we believe he may have been seen by quite a few people - and if you do recognise him, we would like to hear from you."

The offender is described as about 163cm tall, of medium build and wearing a black woollen hat or beanie pulled down to below his chin with eye and mouth slits, a plain dark crew neck t-shirt with dark blue or black sleeves, black trousers and dark shoes that had white markings and soles.

Mr McRae said the offender's t-shirt or woollen hat had an unknown red emblem on the front and his trousers may have been boot-cut jeans. He was also wearing long brown woollen gloves that went up past his forearms.

"Before the robbery we believe the offender was wearing his hat normally, as in not pulled down over his face and we also believe he was carrying, not wearing, his gloves."

Anyone with any information on the identity of the offender or who thinks they may have seen him prior to the robbery is asked to contact Mr McRae at the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200.

- NZ Herald staff