5 Jan 2023

Hamilton dairy owner held at gunpoint during daylight robbery - police

12:21 pm on 5 January 2023
A police car

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A Hamilton dairy owner has been injured after being held at gunpoint during a daylight robbery yesterday.

Police said four armed people entered the dairy on River Road, Hamilton about 5pm.

The group took a till and cigarettes from the dairy, leaving the scene in a white Subaru Impreza, which had earlier been stolen, police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said an 18-year-old man had been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery.

"This was a very traumatic and frightening incident for the dairy owner," Saunders said.

"He suffered moderate injuries in the assault, however this could have ended very differently."

The 18-year-old was also facing charges of aggravated assault and unlawful taking of motor vehicle in relation to a separate robbery at the Blackbull Liquor shop in Cambridge on 11 December.

He was due to appear in Hamilton District Court this morning.

Police said they were working to identify the others involved in last night's robbery and would like to hear from anyone that may have information to assist with the investigation.