At approximately 4.25am today (Friday, 31 July) a man entered the The Bakehouse Café, Taharepa Road, Taupo armed with a firearm and demanded money.
A café worker has handed over a small amount of cash and the offender has run off along Taharepa Road towards the Paetiki Shops. Police believe the offender has then run through a walkway into Hinemoa Avenue.
The offender is described as male Maori, about 180cms, medium build, wearing dark clothes. The male had a black and white scarf wrapped around his head and a dark baseball cap.
Despite the early hour, the Bakehouse Café receives customers from 4am onwards and there had been a few customers in the café prior to the robbery. Police are appealing to those customers to come forward as they may have seen the offender or have information that will assist the investigation,
Anyone with information is asked to contact Taupo Police on 07 378 6060. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.