Police hoping witnesses can help in ATM robbery

Police attention is today turning to any witnesses who saw a man robbing security guards at gunpoint in a Wellington city mall yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Shona Low of the Wellington CIB said police were hoping people who saw the offender running off would come forward today. There had been no developments overnight. Five detectives were working on the case over the weekend.

The man wielding a sawn-off .22 rifle made off with about $115,000 from three ADT guards on their way to fill the ANZ ATM at the entrance to The Left Bank shopping precinct on Cuba St, at 9.50am.

They were at the door of the purpose-built kiosk housing the money machine when they were approached from behind.

The offender pointed a sawn-off .22 rifle at them and demanded the guards empty money into a large black bag. No-one was hurt and no shots were fired.

The gunman was last seen running up Left Bank towards Victoria Street, and turning left down an alleyway towards Ghuznee Street.

The gunman was described as Caucasian, of possible Mediterranean descent, with dark eyebrows, short stubble, of medium build, about 175cm tall and aged about 30.

He was wearing a black raincoat zipped to the top and blue/grey jeans. The bag was a large canvas type that he carried over his shoulder.

Ms Low said there had not been any similar attacks in the Wellington area recently.

- NZPA