Masked robber uses gun to hold up Tauranga dairy

File photo / NZ Herald

A masked robber with a gun raided a Tauranga dairy of cash yesterday afternoon.

The robber entered the Grange Rd Dairy in Otumoetai about 4.40pm and brandished what was believed to be a pistol.

The lone male victim complied with the demand for money before the robber fled down Grange Rd, towards Brookfield. It is unclear exactly how much he got away with.

Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier, of Tauranga CIB, said the offender wore a dark-coloured balaclava and dark clothing.

He was described as being 1.78m (5ft 10in), slim or skinny, and possibly aged in his late teens or early 20s.

Mr Brazier said there were no customers inside the dairy at the time.

The victim was being helped by Victim Support.

Police were keen to speak to anyone who had been in the area just before or immediately after the robbery.

A staff member at the neighbouring Otumoetai Veterinary Hospital said they were totally unaware the dairy had been robbed until police arrived.

Vet nurse Georgina Williams said a police officer was getting his police dog vaccinated at the time of the robbery but was unaware of the incident.

The Grange Rd Dairy has been held up before. In April 2009, a man armed with a spanner raided the dairy after he had spent all his flatmate's money gambling. He fled with a money tray from the till containing $450.

Anyone with information about the latest robbery is asked to call Tauranga police on 577 4300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.