Police in Christchurch are looking into three different aggravated dairy robberies in the city overnight.
It is not yet known whether the incidents are connected, but cash and cigarettes were taken at all three locations.
The first robbery, at the Templeton Dairy took place at 5.15pm last night where two offenders entered the dairy, presented a pistol and have taken a quantity of cigarettes and cash.
Staff were left shaken but uninjured.
The offenders then left in a Mazda Demio vehicle. The vehicle was recovered by Police a short time later.
Later that evening, Police investigated the aggravated robbery of the Worcester Street Discount Dairy which occurred at about 8.22pm. According to the victim, two people entered the store and one threatened the store attendant with a hammer. They took cash, cigarettes and tobacco and left in a vehicle without hurting the victim.
Police are also making inquiries into the robbery of a dairy on Riccarton Road this morning.
This third robbery, occurred at around 4am, where a man has entered the dairy armed with a metal bar and threatened the shop attendant. Luckily no one was injured but the offender left the dairy on foot with cash and cigarettes.
Canterbury CIB have carried out scene examinations at all three scenes and are collating these latest aggravated robberies to ascertain if they are linked and are working to identify the offenders.
Police are working with dairies and service stations to look for prevention opportunities and we ask that any member of the public who witnesses suspicious behaviour near these type of premises, day or night, to contact Police on 111 immediately.
It is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt during this offending, and the small amount of goods taken in these robberies is not worth the extended prison terms that the offenders will be liable for when arrested.
Friends and associates will be aware of who is committing these robberies and Police asks anyone with information to contact Police either on 03 363 7400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
