08 March 2011
Police investigating Sunday's aggravated robbery of a Hamilton bar believe identifying a woman who distracted bar staff allowing her accomplices to gain entry is crucial to the case.
Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of the Hamilton CIB said while the two male offenders were masked the woman, described as a chubby faced Maori or Pacific Islander aged in her early twenties, was not.
"We've spoken to each of the 18 people who were in the Waikato Snooker and Eight Ball Club at the time of the robbery and we believe identifying the woman will lead us to the others involved.
"She has dark hair, possibly long, tied back in a bun and was wearing sunglasses, a dark anorak style coat and black, long trousers with a red stripe."
Mr Thornton said the second offender in Sunday's robbery was armed with a shotgun and was a male of short, stocky build.
"He was wearing a white hood and grey bandana and a black baseball cap covering his head and had a black or dark coloured collared jacket, white gloves, blue trousers, light coloured socks and shoes.
"The third offender was a male of short build described as wearing a black hooded jacket/ sweatshirt, white gloves, dark pants and white shoes with a coloured stripe. He was carrying a blue and black bag with a small red logo on the front."
Mr Thornton said it appears the men gained entry into the card swiped access bar after the woman had knocked on the door and had been buzzed in by bar staff.
"She lingered in the doorway fiddling with her shoe as a delaying tactic enabling the men to enter and confront the two female bar staff with their firearm."
Police believe the trio fled the Rostrevor St bar in a vehicle, possibly a black hatchback and are appealing for anyone who saw people matching the offenders description to contact them.
Anyone with any information on the identities of the persons involved in Sunday's robbery is asked to contact the Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200.
Alternatively in formation can be left anonymously on the CrimeStoppers Crimeline; 0800 555111.
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