Wellington Police hope security camera footage might help identify the men responsible for yesterday's armed robbery at the Kiwibank and New Zealand Post Shop Kilbirnie branch.
Two hooded offenders rushed through a side door entrance into the busy Bay Road branch shortly before 1.50pm. One of the men leapt over the front counter with a knife or similar object in his hand and ordered staff to empty the tills into a blue soft material sports bag.
The man's accomplice, armed with what is believed to be a cut-down single barrel rifle, threatened customers and ordered them onto the floor. Both offenders ran back out the side door with less than $3000.
It's possible the offenders left the Childers Terrace, Crawford Road, Ruahine Street area in a white car which has yet to be found.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller, Wellington CIB, said security footage which indicates both men were dressed in dark bulky clothing with lighter coloured balaclava style head coverings masking their faces. Their hands were also covered.
"The robbery was a terrifying experience for bank staff and customers," he said. "More than a dozen people were in the post shop at the time, and some of them were elderly. It wasn't an easy time for any of the victims and we're impressed with how they are coping."
Police know that some customers managed to escape as the robbery unfolded. "It's really important these people contact us to tell us what they saw.
"Many other people walked passed the bank's front entrance on Bay Road when the robbery was happening. We want to hear from these people and others who stopped and looked inside the bank once the front doors were shut by a staff member," he said.
Police also want to hear from people who were outside the rear of the bank, in the community centre carpark or Childers Terrace area to see if they can help. Sightings of any suspicious activity in or around the bank in recent days are also important.
Contact Wellington Police on 0800 TIPOFF or 04 381 2000 and ask for the CIB duty squad.
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