Armed robbery in Hataitai

At about 6.30pm on Thursday 22 May 2008, Police were advised by a member of the public that they seen a shop assistant being manhandled in The Pharmacy, Moxham Ave, Hataitai and cash being stolen.

The Police were also advised that a firearm had been presented in the shop and that two persons had left the shop and had been seen running up Taurima Road, Hataitai and then getting into a car.

A short time later the Police located the vehicle being driven on the south coast of Wellington and followed the vehicle.

They attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to pull over and a short chase ensued, at one point the vehicle failed to take a corner on the Basin Reserve and crashed into a fence.

One occupant fled from the crashed vehicle and was chased on foot by Police and was caught behind a business premises on Adelaide Road.

At the same time the vehicle extracted itself from the fence and continued around the Basin reserve and into the Mount Victoria Tunnel where it was blocked by Police. Armed Police Officers approached the car to get the two remaining occupants out of the vehicle.

A firearm was located and three people are currently at the Wellington Central Police Station helping Police with their enquiries.

Police are not looking for any other person in relation to the incident; however they are looking for witnesses to the incident at The Pharmacy and anyone that saw suspicious behaviour in Taurima Road, Hataitai.

Police would like to emphasis that it was largely due to the quick actions of members of the public in calling Police, and obtaining the vehicles registration that these three persons were caught.

Anyone who witnessed the incident are asked to ring the Wellington Police and speak to D/Sgt Warwick McKee, Phone: 0275 949977.