Kaitaia bakery robbery update

Northland District Headquarters
88 Cameron Street, Whangärei
Wednesday July 2, 2014

Kaitaia Police CIB is issuing a challenge to the Kaitaia community to help catch the robber from the aggravated robbery of Coast to Coast Bakery in Commerce Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Police enquiry has been accelerated after security footage was obtained which showed a woman who Police believe to be the robber (woman wearing the hooded coat) and another woman suspected of being involved in the robbery. They were walking along Kaitaia's main street minutes before the robbery occurred.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson from the Kaitaia CIB said, “The footage and images are so clear that someone in the community will immediately recognise the two women. We obviously want to speak with both women in the footage and would ask any one with information on the robbery or the women’s identities to contact us urgently”.

As part of the Police enquiry, a Cantonese speaking interpreter was flown in from Auckland to speak to the victims. It wasn’t until they were able to communicate with Police that the full extent and harrowing nature of their ordeal was realised.

“These are hardworking people that work, live and provide a service in our community. They were threatened with extreme violence and held up at knife point, all for the sake of a few dollars. Someone who goes into this shop and buys their lunch or morning tea will recognise these two women - help us catch them”, said Mr Beatson.

Police could be contacted on 09 408 6500, or information could be passed anonymously to Crime stoppers 0800 555 111, although local detectives would prefer to speak directly to people with information.

ENDS

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