Invercargill Police are currently investigating two robberies that occurred on Tuesday night, 24 November 2015.
The robberies occurred within 50 minutes of each other with the first robbery occurring at 10:48pm, at the Tay Street Night n Day situated on the corner of Lindisfarne and Tay Streets, Invercargill.
The second robbery occurred at 11:38pm, at the Dee Street Night n Day situated on the corner of Dee and Hensley Streets, Invercargill and police believe there is a strong link between the person or persons responsible for the robberies.
In each of the robberies a lone male has entered the shops and asked the female attendants for money. In the case of the Dee Street robbery a weapon was presented at the shop assistant.
On both occasions the robber has left empty handed and in the Dee Street robbery has run west down Hensley Street towards the railway lines.
Although shaken, no injuries were sustained by either of the shop attendants.
Police have spoken to a witness who was walking on Phillip Street soon after the Dee Street robbery and he observed two males get into a parked reddish coloured sedan and then drive east on Filleul Street towards Dee Street.
It is unknown if these persons are in any way involved in the robberies and Police would like to speak with these persons to eliminate them from the enquiry.
The description of the suspect in both robberies is a male caucasian approximately 178cm tall and of medium build. He is believed to be in his mid 20’s and wearing dark coloured track pants or similar, a light coloured long sleeved hoodie with a dark coloured T-shirt over the top. The T-shirt is distinctive in that it has a logo on the left breast as well as writing or a logo on the back.
If anyone knows who is responsible or was in the vicinity of the Tay Street and Dee Street Night n Day’s during the times of the robberies and saw any persons or vehicles acting suspiciously can they please contact the Invercargill Police on 03 211 0400.
Information can also be provided anonymously via the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 500 111.
Police will be visiting local dairies over the coming days to check on individual store security and offering prevention advice to shop owners.
ENDS
Released by Detective Sergeant Grant Johnstone, Invercargill CIB
Media note: Police had hoped to release some CCTV stills with this release. Unfortunately, due to technical issues with the footage, this will not be achieveable until tomorrow lunchtime at the earliest.