Robber may have been shot by staff who wrestled gun from him

Staff at a Chinese takeaway store in Tokoroa may have shot an armed robber after wrestling a rifle from him last night, police say.

The hunt continued today for the man, who escaped after his attempt to rob the Chinese takeaway and restaurant at the Aotea shops just before 10am last night.

Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce said he may have been shot in the leg as he tried to get back the rifl e, which was possibly stolen.

Mr Pearce said the disguised robber entered the shop as it was closing just before 10pm, produced the rifle and demanded cash.

As he was making his threats, one of the staff members who was watching from inside a nearby chiller surprised the robber and attacked him, and a fight between the robber and two staff began.

At least one shot was discharged, Mr Pearce said.

The fight continued through the back door into a service alley, where the offender was overcome and fell to the ground, and his firearm was taken by one of the staff members.

"The offender has attempted to retrieve his firearm so a shot was discharged by the staff member to scare the offender away," Mr Pearce said.

"He has continued to advance on the staff member and another shot was discharged.

"The staff member concerned has told police that he believes he has shot the offender in the legs with this second shot, mainly due to the scream the offender let out."

Mr Pearce said the robber left the scene on foot. A police dog was unable to track the offender more than a few hundred metres from the scene.

Police did not encourage victims being robbed at gunpoint to fight back as these victims did, he said.

"This situation could easily have resulted in a fatality and it could have easily been one of victims that had been shot or killed.

"Fighting back, when firearms are involved, dramatically increases the dangers to everyone present and should not be considered or attempted."

Police have spoken to several local medical centres to see if any one has been treated for a new injury that could have come from a firearm.

Mr Pearce said the firearm, which has been recovered, was a semi-automatic .22 Sterling Model 20 rifle, and there was a good chance it was stolen.

Police have also today been interviewing witnesses and the victims and conducting a scene examination.

Anyone with information about the attempted robbery, along with anyone who has had a Sterling Model 20 rifle stolen and any medical practitioners who had treated a possible firearm injury, were asked to call police.

- NZPA