Police appeal for witnesses following Whanganui robbery

Attributable to Detective Constable Neville Mullany, Whanganui Police:

Police have been investigating two robberies in Whanganui over the weekend and are appealing for help from the public.

Two people have been referred to Youth Aid in relation to a dairy robbery on Polson Street, Castlecliff, about 7:35pm on Saturday 9 September, but we still need information from the public in relation to a second robbery.

Earlier on Saturday, just before 5:30pm, at a dairy on Rangitikei Street, Whanganui East, three males aged in their late teens entered the store armed with a hammer.

They assaulted the male shopkeeper, as well as a woman who came to his aid.

Both victims were struck on the head in what was a vicious and unprovoked attack.

They were subsequently treated in hospital for non-life-threatening head injuries.

A fourth male offender had remained outside.

After taking confectionary, all four males left the store and ran along Kitchener Street, into the Kiwi Street/Hinemoa Street area.

A Police dog and handler tracked through the area but were unable to locate them.

The males were described as between 16-20 years old, wearing dark clothing, with a couple of them wearing "camo" hunting tops.

Police would like to speak with anyone who saw this group of males near the Rangitikei Street dairy, or in the Kitchener/Hinemoa area on Saturday.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Mullany at Whanganui Police on (06) 349 0600, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

These two robberies do not appear to be related to other Whanganui robberies that occurred earlier in the year, which Police have already made arrests in relation to.

Over recent months, Police have visited 21 dairies, takeaway shops and service stations throughout the city to review security measures and provide prevention advice.

Police is committed to keeping the community safe, and urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it to Police immediately.

ENDS

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