Bank guard's murder reinvestigated

Police have re-opened the files into the death of a Rotorua security guard gunned down during a bank hold-up in 1976.

Security guard Howard Percy died after being shot twice as he tackled a person holding up the ANZ Old Taupo Rd branch on November 5, 1976.

Percy had been involved in a hold-up four months earlier at the same branch when he and two tellers were tied up, and $13,000 was stolen on July 16, 1976.

Now police have re-opened the files to re-investigate Percy's murder.

Bay of Plenty crime manager Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said there was an extensive investigation but no one was ever arrested and charged.

A small team of police officers was now providing "a fresh set of eyes” to the case, he said.

Police were appealing to the public for any information about the homicide.

Percy's family were helping police with the investigation.