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EBOP Police seek help after Lotto shop robbery

Saturday 26 November 2011, 2:54PM

By New Zealand Police

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KAWERAU

Eastern Bay of Plenty Police are asking for the public's help after an aggravated robbery at the Smith City Lotto Shop in Kawerau at approximately midday yesterday afternoon (Friday 25 November).

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Sernior Sergeant Greg Standen, says although just a small amount of cash was taken, it was a well executed robbery of a small lotto shop.

"The offender has walked in to the Lotto outlet and demanded cash from the women behind the counter. He has then left the outlet via the rear of Smith City and once outside he has ran off possibly to a waiting car."

Detective Senior Sergeant Standen says Police have completed a scene examination and spoken to the Lotto attendant and other witnesses and are seeking any possible sightings of the suspect.

"This was a brazen day-time robbery in a busy shopping mall and someone has seen this offender either prior to him walking into the Lotto or running out the rear of Smith City, Kawerau. We will identify this offender with the public's help, if anyone has seen a man fitting this description we would very much like to hear from them".

The police are looking for male Maori, approximately 6 foot tall, with a goatee moustache, wearing a light coloured hoodie and light coloured track pants, black sun glasses and black beanie and black 'chuck taylor' type shoes, carrying a black shoulder fabric bag with a white stripe.

A team of Detectives from Whakatane and Kawerau officers are now reconstructing the incident, piecing information together. "I am confident we will identify this man, someone will recognise him, we just need the information" says Mr Standen.

You can pass information directly to the Whakatane police 07 308-5255 of via the CRIME STOPPERS line 0800 111 555