Police search for 'polite robber'

South Auckland police are on the hunt for a "polite" robber wanted in connection with five armed hold-ups in the past month.

The offences began with the robbery of a Shell Service Station on Wiri Station Rd, Wiri, on August 13 about 6.30pm.

After that there were robberies at Halsey Road Foodmarket, Manurewa on August 21, Ratavine Foodmarket in Wiri on August 22 and August 31, and the Grand Vue Dairy on Great South Road, Manurewa on September 1.

Senior Sergeant Gary Lendrum said all of them took place between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Two offenders were involved in the Halsey Road robbery, armed with a crowbar and a pistol. All the others were committed by a single offender with a silver or black pistol.

"One interesting aspect of the offending is how polite the offender has been when demanding money, using the words `please' and `thank you'," Mr Lendrum said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Counties Manukau police.

- NZPA