Armed police called out in Southland

An Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) call-out, an unprovoked assault which left a man unconscious, and an aggravated dairy robbery at knife point kept Invercargill police busy overnight.

At 8.50pm police received a 111 call from Bluff, reporting that a man with a weapon was threatening to kill the two other people at a property -- another man and a woman.

The AOS and police dogs arrived just after 10pm, the address was cordoned off and a man was arrested without struggle.

One man is reported to have moderate injuries while the alleged offender is now in police custody.

He has been charged with assault though Senior Sergeant Maggie Windle said other charges were likely as inquiries continued.

Meanwhile, police were called to an aggravated robbery at a dairy in Stapleton, south Invercargill at about 9pm.

Three men are reported to have "milled about" the dairy before one walked behind the counter and pulled a knife out on the proprietor.

The men ran off with some cash and some property towards Oreti St.

Ms Windle told NZPA there would have been more witnesses to the incident and police were hoping to speak to anyone with information today.

All men were in their early 20s and were wearing black hoodies and black jeans.

The main offender was described as white, about 175cm with a black and white beanie over his face.

One of the men was described as fatter and shorter than the other two.

The victim was not injured though he was shaken by the incident.

Later last night, police were called out to an assault outside a supermarket on Tay St.

A white hatchback pulled up beside two men walking on the footpath, a man got out and punched one of the men in the head before kicking him several times and driving off. There were possibly three men and one woman in the car.

By the time police arrived, the car had sped off.

The victim was taken to hospital and later discharged.

Police are investigating all three incidents today and are asking for help from the public.

Add a Comment