An armed robber who brandished a pistol at a woman fled a Mount Maunganui Lotto shop in an S-type Jaguar car yesterday.
The man took the shop's cash register and its contents with him.
Tauranga police said the robbery happened about 2.50pm at the Mount Paper Power Lotto Shop, on Central Parade.
"The sole female employee ... was confronted by a male who pointed what is described as a small firearm, similar to a pistol, at her," said Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier.
The man demanded money and then took the cash register from behind the counter, and left with it.
He was seen to get into the waiting Jaguar car which was driven off toward the main Mount Maunganui beach area.
"This vehicle was a black coloured S-type Jaguar with tinted windows and has distinctive silver mag wheels," Mr Brazier said.
Police found the vehicle some time later in Gordon Street, a short distance from the lotto shop.
They are seeking anyone who saw the robbery or the car in the area.
The offender was described as a Maori or Polynesian, about 1.78m tall, of medium build and with short black hair.
He was wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, a dark-coloured top, three quarter-length light-coloured camouflage-type pants and white shoes.
