Man robs Wellington petrol station with knife

Police are searching for a man who threatened a Wellington petrol station attendant with a knife and then stole cigarettes and cash last night.

Detective Sergeant Nina Westera said the man entered Kilbirnie service station on Coutts Street at 10pm, vaulted the counter and threatened the male attendant with a large hunting knife.

He then fled with cigarettes and cash in a silver station wagon.

Ms Westera said the man was Maori or Polynesian, about 20-years-old, and wearing a black bandana across his face and a dark hooded sweatshirt.

- NZPA