We are trying to identify and check on the welfare of a woman who appears to have given a lift to someone who had just robbed the Westend Tavern in Rotorua of a large sum of cash. The offender was being chased down York Street by a member of the public after the robbery at approximately 12.30pm yesterday afternoon when another man who witnessed what was happening tried to head the offender off. To avoid being caught, the offender ran across the road falling over in the process. A white vehicle travelling along York Street stopped where the offender had fallen. He said something to the female driver and then jumped in the back of the vehicle behind her. We are concerned that this may have been an innocent member of the public thinking she was helping someone in trouble, not knowing he had just committed a robbery. It’s important that we identify who she was, to check on her welfare in the first instance. She may also unknowing hold vital information about yesterday’s events and the offender. From witness accounts the vehicle was likely a Honda and possibly had the number ‘8’ in the registration. The female driver is described as probably Polynesian and in her late 30s or early 40s. If you were the woman in the vehicle or know who she is, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible. We also now know that the offender received a blow to the head when the staff member at the tavern tried to fend him off. This would likely have resulted in him having some bruising to his head. An updated description puts him around 5ft8ins to 5ft 9ins tall with a solid build. If you have any information on this incident please contact us at Rotorua Police on 07 348 0099. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:53:52 +0000
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