Police continuing to investigate Upper Hutt bottle store aggravated robbery

Hutt Valley Police are continuing to investigate an aggravated robbery at the Thirsty Liquor bottle store in Upper Hutt earlier this week.

Detective Sergeant Chris Gooch of the Hutt Valley CIB says at around 5:45pm on Tuesday night (9 October 2012), two men entered Thirsty Liquor on Fergusson Drive.

"One of the offenders was armed with a knife and approached the staff member demanding money whilst the second offender took some bottles of alcohol from a shelf."

Detective Sergeant Gooch says the staff member then managed to chase the offenders from the shop, after hitting one with a hockey stick.

"The offenders then ran across the railway track to an awaiting vehicle which was parked in a carpark opposite Silverstream Primary School. The vehicle is described as a maroon-coloured four door Nissan hatch or similar with a number plate starting with the letter T. It was seen to drive north along Gard Street."

One offender is described as Maori in his late teens or early twenties of solid build, around five foot 10 to six foot in height with thick eyebrows and thick/curly hair possibly tied up at the back in a ponytail. He was wearing dark jeans, a grey beanie with three white stripes on it, a grey t-shirt, with another t-shirt tied around his face.

The second offender is described as New Zealand European of medium build, around six foot tall, aged between 20 and 25 years. He was wearing dark jeans, a red and black striped sweatshirt with the hood up, and a grey t-shirt tied around his face, carrying a dark coloured backpack.

"Police would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Thirsty Liquor at the time of the aggravated robbery or anyone who has any other relevant which may assist Police."

Anyone with any information should contact Hutt Valley Police on (04) 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.