POLICE FILE

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 579, 28 March 1995, Page 2

POLICE FILE

Although police are following strong leads, they are still keen to hear from anyone with information that will help them convict the two men who robbed the Waiouru Westpac branch at 9.07am Tuesday 21 March. Pictured are the motorcycle and bag used in the robbery. The motorcycle was stolen sometime in the 24 hours before the robbery. Two offenders were involvecl, the pillion passenger walking into the bank with a sawn-off fire arm. He thrust the bag at a staff member and demanded that it be filled with cash. The pair left the bank and headed south on State Highway One, turning off at Irirangi to Rangiwai, then Bells Junction, to Field' s Track, and up to Karioi Railway Station. From there they rode along the railway line to Rangataua where they hid the bike in the bush, probably before 12pm. Police found the bike later in the afternoon. The man in the bank was 5' 8"5'9" of medium build, Maori, mid to late 20s, wearing a navy balaclava, with a blue nylon zip up ski jacket, yellow PVC leggings and work boots. The rider was a male Maori of a similar age, possibly shorter, wearing a yellow motorcycle helmet not full-face, a dark woollen jersey or jacket, and gumboots. He had a bushy moustache.

• Offenders gained entry to an unlocked house in Pitt Street, Raetihi, on Tuesday 21 March, removing a colour television before leaving the premises. • Horne Brothers workshops situated in Old Sta-tion-Rd, Ohakune, was broken into ovemight on the weekend, with approximately $200 cash taken from the workshop's office. Offenders made a tidy search of the workshop premises before forcing entry through a window into the office. Police enquiries are continuing. • A pair of electric hedge cutters were stolen from a Queen Street, Raetihi address overnight on 24 March. The tool was taken from an unlocked shed situated at the front if the property.