KEY POINTS:
A robber who threw salt in the face of an Alexandra service station attendant had several images of his face captured on camera before he fled.
Senior Sergeant Mike Cook, of Alexandra, said the man entered the Shell service station about 9pm yesterday while the female attendant was preparing to close up, the Otago Daily Times reported.
"In the process of tidying up for shut-down, a male followed her in and asked for a pack of cigarettes.
"She turned around to get the pack of cigarettes and when she turned back, he threw some salt into her face."
Mr Cook said the assault "stupefied her to an extent" at which time the man came around the counter, pushed her to the floor and asked her for money.
The offender tried to move the station's security cameras from his face but several images were captured before he left the scene on foot.
Mr Cook said up to $500 may have been taken.
The robber was described as being in his late 20s, about 183cm tall, of medium build, wearing a white hat with an emblem on the front, sunglasses, a darkish goatee, a black top, gloves and skateboard shoes with white laces.
- NZPA
