Source: Radio New Zealand
One offender was wearing a black beanie, a dark coloured sweatshirt, long pants, and a blue cloth covering their face. NZ Police
Bar managers say they are stepping up security after a series of armed robberies in the Hutt Valley.
Since December, three Hutt Valley bars have been targeted in similar ways and police say the crimes may be linked.
Police said in each robbery the offenders used weapons, including a firearm, to demand money and other items.
For the Hardware Bar & Restaurant in Stokes Valley, it made for a rough start to the year when it was targeted on New Years Day.
Duty manager Mohammad Usama said because of the public holiday, it was a quiet night and it was the only place that was open.
He said his colleague was the one to close the bar.
He said a man was “hiding himself in the bush” across the road waiting for his colleague to exit the building.
Usama said he was however on the phone with his colleague at the time as they were taking precautions after an earlier robbery, and the Police were quickly called.
He said his colleague did however experience some anxiety following the robbery.
That earlier robbery was at Quinn’s Post in Upper Hutt.
Duty manager Harmony Weherua said an offender was also waiting in the bushes as her colleague exited the building.
“He was pretty shaken up.”
She said it also made some other staff nervous.
Weherua said they were also in quite an isolated area, with rest homes on both sides.
She said staff now were continually looking out the windows.
They had also increased the number of staff at closing.
“We always make sure there’s two staff on now, ’till we all leave. Sometimes there’s four of us as well as the cook.”
The most recent robbery was at 7 Bar & Restaurant, just over two weeks ago.
Police said two people entered the bar with weapons, including a gun, and threatened employees.
After making various demands, the offenders then fled in a stolen vehicle which was later located on a nearby street.
7 Bar & Restaurant declined to comment.
Neighbouring Blend Bar & Bistro, which shared a back exit with the bar was also open that night.
Duty manager Faye Biascan said the robbery had made a lot of staff there nervous.
“We’ve been more tight with the security,” she said. “Like going outside, we always have to have someone else come with us. It’s been very scary.”
Upper Hutt mayor Peri Zee. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Last week Upper Hutt City Council held a community meeting alongside Police, where the community was able to talk through some areas of concern.
Upper Hutt mayor Peri Zee said the community indicated it would like to see more cameras around the city. She said that could be considered in upcoming budgets and planning.
“The police are doing a really good job,” she said. “We also have an awesome local community patrol who are well resourced with volunteers as well. So there’s lots of people working on this together.”
Meanwhile Police have released images of a ‘Nike Academy’ sweatshirt with distinctive white stripes and metallic coloured shoes with a reflective marking on the heel.
They would like to hear from anyone who may know someone who has worn items that match these.
The shoes one of the offenders wore. NZ Police
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
