Security guards refuse to hand over money to armed robber

File photo / NZ Herald

A man brandishing a gun tried to rob two cash van security guards today -- but the guards refused to hand over any money.

Police said the man approached two security staff as they were returning to their ACN Currency security van outside The Warehouse store in Lyall Bay, Wellington, at 2.30pm today.

"The gunman demanded money from the guards but was refused. He has then run off to a nearby vehicle where an accomplice was waiting and driven off heading towards Lyall Bay," Senior Sergeant Marc Clausen said.

The man and his getaway driver allegedly took off in a stolen 1998 white Mazda Capella with registration number DUG642.

Mr Clausen said that car was stolen earlier today.

The Capella was found near Box Hill in the Wellington suburb of Khandallah about 3.30pm.

A man was found nearby and arrested without incident, Mr Clausen said.

The second man and the gun were yet to be found.

"The security guards were not injured but obviously very shaken after the ordeal," Mr Clausen said.

Police are searching an area around Clark St, Khandallah, where the Mazda Capella was found.

The stolen car was located 15km from the scene of the attempted robbery.

It was not yet clear if the man on the run was the one who threatened the security guards with the gun.

A description of the wanted man was still not available. Police said he may have changed his clothes.

Police asked anybody who saw anything suspicious near The Warehouse about 2.30pm, or near the Box Hill area around 3-4pm, to contact them.

Anybody with information should call Detective Olivia Gibson at Wellington Police on (04) 3812000 or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.