Robber takes on technology

Although it was raining, the hooded robber opened his umbrella only as he entered the bank. Photo / Supplied

The banks boost their defences against robberies ... and the criminals hit back.

On Friday, the Herald reported the BNZ's introduction of a device which marks robbers with a traceable spray as they flee.

On the same day, a robber walked into a BNZ branch in Glenfield carrying an umbrella.

It was raining, but the robber opened the umbrella fully only as he entered the bank.

After the hold-up, he escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The Herald reported BNZ's introduction of SelectaDNA spray units, which shoot a synthetic solution over robbers that can be traced to specific banks.

Detective Sergeant Craig McCormack said the man had "obviously gone all out to forensically avoid any contamination and disguise himself", and it was extremely coincidental the "brolly technique" was used the same day as the report.

Security camera images show the man, who was wearing dark clothing and a balaclava, opening the blue and white umbrella as he enters the bank.

"I guess either he's read the paper or he's using it as a disguise," Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack did not think Friday's incident would trigger copycat umbrella robberies.

"Leading up to summer it would be a little funny looking."

He said someone might be able to identify the umbrella used in the Glenfield robbery because of lettering on a white panel of it that began "ERO".

BNZ spokeswoman Dee Crooks doubted the man had read the report, saying it was not uncommon for bank robbers to hide under umbrellas.

The spray device had not been installed in the robbed branch.

Each spray unit contains a solution with a unique "DNA strand" to help police link sprayed offenders crimes.

It stays on clothes for up to six months and on skin for one to two weeks and glows blue under ultraviolet light.

The robbery was at the Glenfield BNZ on the corner of Bentley Ave and Glenfield Rd, about 2.20pm on Friday.

Anyone with information can contact Mr McCormack or Detective Constable Karl Cooper at the North Shore CIB on (027) 494-9112.