KEY POINTS:
This is the terrifying scene that confronted a St Lukes dairy owner when an armed robber disguised with military-style camouflage paint pointed a sawn-off shotgun at her.
Police are now hunting the gunman, who, to avoid the security camera, crawled into the Rose Cottage dairy in Fowlds Ave and threatened the woman before fleeing in a car that had been stolen during a home invasion.
The man, who is believed to be in his 30s, is of stocky build and average height. He is considered dangerous and police say he should not be approached.
The dairy owner, who did not want to be named, said she was standing behind the counter about 8pm on Monday when the man, who had tried to disguise himself by blackening his face and tying something around his head, crawled into the store.
He pointed the sawn-off shotgun at her and demanded money.
But she ran into the back of the shop and called for her son, who activated an alarm and locked the door between them and the robber.
The robber yelled for the door to be opened but panicked and returned to the counter, where he threw cigarettes and confectionery on the ground.
He then grabbed the top of the till, not realising the cash was stored in the drawer below, and ran out of the store.
He was seen getting into a silver Mazda Familia saloon (BLS274), which had two men inside and had been stolen during the home invasion in Moa Rd, Pt Chevalier, on June 3.
Detective Brendan Gregan said that while the robber did not appear to fit the description of the men in the home invasion, there was some link because of the car.
He said the dairy robber should be considered as armed and dangerous and anyone who saw the stolen car should steer clear of it.
"I would hate to think some over-enthusiastic member of the public would see that vehicle and approach it. It's imperative ... that no one attempts to approach it because in these days of P-fuelled crime sprees, it could be bad news."
The Rose Cottage owner said this was the fifth time her dairy had been robbed in about five years.
The last was in November, when a knife was held to her throat.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gregan on (09) 820-5786.
* Police are also hunting an armed man who tried to rob the Trans Continental Travel store in Mt Albert Rd, Mt Roskill, yesterday afternoon.
The man wielded a black and silver handgun and demanded money before punching one of the two staff in the head several times. He ran out without getting any cash.
Police believe he is the same man who robbed a nearby pizza shop about two weeks ago but do not think he is linked to the Rose Cottage robbery.
