Police seek offender after attempted armed robbery

Christchurch Police have released security camera images from an attempted armed robbery at a Redwood service station last night.

At about 6.36pm on Thursday night [13 June] a lone male offender carrying a gun attempted to rob the Mobil service station on the corner of Main North and Prestons Road, Redwood.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darryl Sweeney says the offender was armed with a black pistol. "He threatened the attendant, reached over the counter and attempted to take the cash drawer, but dropped it and aborted the attempt." he says.

"The man was seen to run out of the service station and get into the drivers seat of a light-coloured four-door sedan with a pin stripe flashing along the side of the car, which had been parked on Prestons Road, directly next to the service station exit.

"The offender has then driven off, without his lights on, in an easterly direction on Prestons Road."

Police say no shots were fired and nobody was injured in the incident.

The offender is described as a male caucasian about 180cm (5ft 11in) tall. He was wearing a black or dark green thick padded jacket, with hi-vis V-shaped markings in fluro red and silver on the front and rear of the jacket.

He was also wearing a black hoodie under this jacket, a black cap, and his face was covered by a black balaclava or bandana. He wore white gloves, grey/blue jeans and dark shoes with a white rubber rim around the base of the shoe.

"We know that several members of the public were in the area at the time," Detective Senior Sergeant Sweeney says. "While we have spoken to a number of witnesses already, we would still like to hear from anyone that may have seen this offender before, during or after the attempted robbery.

Anyone with information should call Detective Senior Sergeant Darryl Sweeney on 021 1911463, or Christchurch police on (03) 3637400.

Alternatively, to provide information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS