Police hunt third teen over armed hold-up

Police are looking for a third teenager over the armed hold-up of a Hamilton video store at the weekend.

Two teens, aged 15 and 17, were due to appear in Hamilton Youth Court today in connection with the robbery of the Five Cross Roads video store on Sunday.

A third offender, also 15, had been identified by police but his whereabouts was not known, Hamilton CIB Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said.

He alleged that the offenders had had difficulty selecting a place to rob.

They biked to a local liquor store with the intent to rob it but it was closed.

"They've then gone to a second store but decided there were too many people present before opting to rob the video shop," he said.

Mr Keall said the shop attendant had been held up with a pistol and forced to hand over money.

The cash was later used to buy five boxes of beer from a local supermarket.

- NZPA