Two armed holdups thought to be linked

Police in Manukau City are appealing for witnesses after two holdups of people in their homes.

Police believe the two incident are linked.

The robberies happened within an hour on Tuesday, the first in Hoteo Ave in Papatoetoe and the second in Panama Rd in Mt Wellington.

The Papatoetoe robbery took place shortly before 6pm, when two men broke into a house occupied by three women and a child.

One of the men produced a gun, described only as being "silver-coloured", and threatened one of the women, demanding money.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrell Harpur said the terrified woman told them where they could find money in the house, and the robbers ran off with a couple of bags containing cash and other personal items.

Mr Harpur said police later recovered the getaway car, a red 1991 Holden Commodore saloon.

They want anyone who might have seen the vehicle between 5pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday to call police.

About an hour after that attack, about 6.40pm, a man was threatened with a gun when he answered the front door of a house in Panama Rd.

Police said a second male offender then pushed his way in. One searched the house, and the other watched over the two male occupants.

They took a handbag containing cash and other personal items and escaped in a red Holden Commodore.

"The two left the address in a red Holden Commodore which is thought to be the same vehicle used in the [first] aggravated robbery," Mr Harpur said.

Counties Manukau police have since arrested one man in relation to both incidents but are seeking two others.

Both are described as of Maori or Pacific Island descent.

The man being sought in relation to the first robbery has a solid build and was wearing a brown jacket with white stripes on the sleeves and a dark yellow T-shirt.

The man wanted over the second robbery is said to have a big build, with short black hair and a scar on the back of his head. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information can call police on (09) 261-1300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555-111.