Merrin, Beckenham hold-ups linked?

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 6

Merrin, Beckenham hold-ups linked?

The armed hold-up of the Merrin Post Office, in Avonhead, on Thursday afternoon could be linked with another recent bank robbery in Christchurch, the police have said. It was possible that the man who held up the Merrin Post Office on Thursday was responsible for the robbery of the Beckenham branch of the Bank of New Zealand on November 27, said Detective Sergeant David Quested.

In both cases, the robber left carrying an orange duffel bag. Detective Sergeant Quested said that he had an “open mind” on whether the robberies were linked, but the possibility was under investigation.

The anried robber who raided the Beckenham

B.N.Z. has not been found. He fled with more than $6OOO. Investigations into the robbery of the Merrin Post Office continued yesterday. “We are looking at several people and are working on eliminating suspects,” said Detective Sergeant Quested. “We are getting feedback from the public.” However, he said that the police were keen to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity near the Post Office, which is in Withells Road, on Thursday morning or earlier in the week. “In most cases it can be assumed that the robber has had a prior look,” said Detective Sergeant Quested. The police were also interested to hear from

anyone who saw the robber leave the bank, about 12.25 p.m. . The robber, who was armed with a pistol or airgun, forced the teller to hand over more than $2OOO.

A woman customer was the only other person in the bank. No-one was hurt

The robber is described as European, aged in the mid 20s, about 177 cm (sft lOin) tall, of medium build, with fair, curly hair, and a dark moustache.

He had a chain-type tattoo round the neck and tattoos on the backs of four fingers, between the knuckle and first joint

He wore mirror sunglasses, dirty grey overalls, white gym shoes, and a maroon woollen hat with a light green band.