Masked man robs tourists in motel

A group of tourists were left shaken last night after an armed, masked man, burst into their Rotorua motel unit and robbed them of cash and several wallets.

Police said the solidly-built man, armed with a "large gun", struck at 8.30pm at the Aywon Motel in Fenton Park.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson, of Rotorua CIB, said the Taiwanese tourists were in their unit with the door closed but not locked.

"They were basically minding their own business when the man, armed with a reasonably large and long weapon, opened the door and walked in," Mr Wilson said.
The man was described as dark complexioned and about 1.8m tall.

Police did not know exactly how much was taken by the robber.

A forensic examination of the scene was expected to be completed this morning.

Motel owner Noel Rivett said the five tourists, who had checked in two days ago, were in a unit that faces onto the road and had left the door unlocked.

"The offender walked straight into the unit and demanded money."

His guests had been left shaken by the experience but were planning to continue their tour of New Zealand today.

Mr Rivett said he had warned all his other guests to keep their doors locked and not to open them to anyone they did not know.

- NZPA