A knife-wielding man fled with the cash register of a Christchurch dairy last night.
Detective Anita Paterson, of the New Brighton police, said the robbery took place about 7pm at the Nancy Avenue Dairy, on the corner of Nancy Avenue and Ranger Street in Mairehau.
The offender made off with the cash register containing a small amount of cash and left the scene in a dirty white Nissan Pulsar four door saloon.
The vehicle had no registration plates displayed, Ms Paterson said.
A member of the public followed the Pulsar for a short distance but it was lost in traffic after it turned south onto Cranford Street from McFadden's Road, heading toward town.
The offender was described as a male Caucasian, aged in his early to mid 20s, thin build, around 1.8m in height, clean shaven, wearing a white or light grey sweatshirt with the hood up over a black baseball cap and blue jeans.
Ms Paterson said anyone who may know something about the robbery or vehicle used or finds a cash register should contact New Brighton police on 03 373 9111.