Replica gun used in post office raid

Press, 7 January 1987, Page 1

Replica gun used in post office raid

By

NIGEL MALTHUS

A man armed with a replica handgun escaped with nearly $6OOO after holding up the Dallington Post Office yesterday morning in Christchurch’s first serious robbery of 1987.

The man had joined the queue in the post office and had handed the teller a note demanding money, said Detective Inspector Dave Haslett. A gun was seen at his waist, but had not been presented at the teller. “Some of the other patrons did not realise what had happened. The teller, naturally, was quite shaken,” said Mr Haslett. The man was handed about $5BOO and made off northwards on Gloucester Street. Police tracker dogs later traced the man’s escape route into Lionel Street and a pathway leading into Woodham Park. A bag containing the replica gun and some clothing was found there. Those items were being examined yesterday afternoon, said Mr Haslett. The robber had obvi-

ously changed his clothes, or discarded the outer layer. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing black track suit trousers with a white stripe, shoes with white tops, a black jacket, a dark peaked cap, and was carrying a coloured . plastic shopping bag. He was described as a tall, thin European, about I.Blm tall (sft aged 23 to '25, with straight, shoulder length hair, probably dark, and was in need of a shave. Mr Haslett said the man walked with a “funny., gait,” as though he had a leg injury.

The robber was believed to have gone from the pathway back into

Lionel Street, but no vehicle was seen. “We are anxious to hear from people who may have seen a person or vehicle leaving the area.” Mr Haslett said that the discarded clothing and the manner of the robbery, indicated that it was well planned. ■■ He called for help from anyone who may have seen the robber in the area previously. “This type of robbery is becoming all too prevalent, and we rely very much on the public to assist us.” At the time of the robbery, about 11 a.m., there would have been many people around, he said. Picture, page 6