Police want 'gun-toting' robbers caught

Police say it is vital they track down a pair of gun-toting bank robbers before they can strike again.

The heavily disguised men burst into a busy Hamilton Kiwibank on Saturday morning, ordering customers to the floor at gunpoint and demanding money from the tellers.

Police are appealing for public help to track down the men before they can strike again, said Detective Chris McRae of Hamilton CIB.

"Given the offenders appear to think little of threatening people with firearms it's vital we locate them as soon as possible before they re-offend."

The robbery took place at the Chartwell Post Shop about 10.15am on Saturday, Mr McRae said.

One of the men held a long firearm in customer's faces, ordering them to lie down on the floor, while his accomplice told teller staff to hand over money from the tills.

The pair then ran off to a waiting car where a third man was their getaway driver.

The car, a grey 1997 Grey Nissan SRV hatchback, registration BTK243, was stolen from the Hillcrest Warehouse carpark on Friday.

"We're hoping someone recalls seeing it being stolen from The Warehouse or may have seen it driving around or parked up at an address somewhere in the city before the robbery," Mr McRae said.

The car was found a short time after the robbery in nearby Donny Park.

Police believe there were four people in the car when it was abandoned, and that they were most likely locals.

Police were concerned about the degree of organisation and violence used in the robbery, Mr McRae said.

They are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The hold-up was the third robbery of a Chartwell bank in the past two months.

- NZPA