Hamilton Police are praising the actions of bank staff in deescalating a volatile situation during a robbery in the east of the City shortly before noon.
Detective Sergeant Karl Moon of the Hamilton CIB said Police were called to the Kiwi Bank premises in the Hillcrest shopping centre about 11.59am.
"We're currently waiting the downloading of security footage however at this stage it appears a sole male offender entered the bank armed with a handgun and confronted bank staff.
"He was described as highly aggressive and pointed the firearm in the face of a female teller before demanding money and fleeing the bank on foot with a yet to be determined sum of cash."
Mr Moon said long established protocols for bank staff dealing with situations like today's had paid off with the bank staff's compliance giving little opportunity for the offender to be drawn into any confrontation.
"We ask people confronted by such situations to comply with the offenders demands, money and materials can be replaced where as lives can't, if you find yourself faced by such a threat do as the offender says and record details which Police can follow up later," said Mr Moon.
Police want to hear from anyone who may have noticed a man acting suspiciously near the Hillcrest shops before the robbery or who may have noticed someone running towards SH1 or the area near the Hillcrest Primary School shortly after noon.
Anyone with any information on the identity of the offender is asked to phone Mr Moon at the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 8586200.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers Crimeline, 0800 555111.
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