Police investigate robbery and burglary in Christchurch

Police in Christchurch are looking for this man who broke into the Shirley St Albans Club on Monday at about 8am.

Police are hunting for a man who entered a tavern yesterday with a sawn-off shotgun and stole money.

Just before midnight, the man entered the Tavern Harewood in Christchurch.

Detective Andrew Owens said: "There were two staff members at the Tavern at the time and while this was a traumatic event for them, thankfully no one was injured."

The man made off with "a sum of money" and left on foot.

Eleven police cars responded to the tavern, including a dog unit, however the man has not been located.

He is described as Maori and of athletic build.

He was wearing dark clothing and his face was covered.

Police are keen to hear from anyone may knows the identity of the man involved.

In another robbery in the city, CCTV footage has revealed the Shirley St Albans Club was broken into twice on Monday.

On Tuesday, police released an image of man they want to interview in connection with an arson at the club, which happened shortly after 9.30am.

The man appeared to have a black mask perched on top of his head, but did not use it and was nabbed on CCTV.

But yesterday, when reviewing the footage, they found a man had entered the club just after 8am. The club was closed at the time.

He is wanted in relation to money that was taken.

Christchurch police are appealing for sightings of this man in relation to a break-in and fire at the Shirley St Albans Club.

Detective Constable Watts said they are not ruling out whether the two crimes are linked.

"It's either an opportunist crime or they are known to each other, but at this stage that is undetermined," he said.

The first offender spent about 30 minutes upstairs before going to the bar area downstairs. Money is missing from the bar.

About 20 minutes later after the first offender left, the second man entered the club.

Soon after a passerby noticed smoke coming from the building on Hills Rd and alerted nearby builders who call the fire service.

Accelerant had been had poured on a bookshelf and carpet area and setting it on fire, Detective Constable Watts said.

Police are appealing for any sightings of the men.

• Information about either incident can be reported to Christchurch Central Police Station on (03) 363 7400 or provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.