Police in Palmerston North are investigating the aggravated robbery of a bank in the city this morning (Thursday, 17 September).
Staff at the ANZ bank in Terrace End raised the alarm around 10.45am after a man with his face covered entered the bank, threatened tellers with a firearm and then made off with cash. The exact amount of cash stolen is not being disclosed.
There were a number of customers in the bank at the time, but no shots were fired and no-one was injured.
The offender was reported to have made off in a red stationwagon, driven by a second man. About 11.30am, following a report from a member of the public of suspicious activity in the Kelvin Grove area of Palmerston North, police found a 1994 maroon red Mitsubishi RVR with grey sills that is believed linked to the robbery. The vehicle had been reported as stolen from the Highbury area of the city earlier in the morning.
Searches were carried out by police in the surrounding area and along the nearby railway line.
Both men are described as being of Maori appearance.
Anyone with information that might assist this investigation is asked to contact Palmerston North Police on 06 351 3600 or the Crime Line on 0800 808585.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.