Police hunt supermarket robbers
These are the two men police want to speak to in relation to an aggravated robbery of Kosco Asian Supermarket in Papanui.
The hooded men allegedly threatened to stab the supermarket owner Palk Flanco and stole packets of the synthetic cannabis K2.
Detective Sergeant Richard Quested said the two men walked in the back door of the shop in Main North Rd, Papanui, about 8.15pm on Tuesday.
They threatened Mr Flanco. No weapon was presented.
It is alleged one man went behind the counter and grabbed a plastic bag that had about five packets of K2 in it.
Both men then ran down Langdons Rd towards the railway line and disappeared, Detective Sergeant Quested said.
Left shaken after the ordeal, supermarket owner, Palk Flanco, chased the offenders away from his store.
Mr Flanco chased the offenders away from his store.
Mr Flanco said he feared for his life.
"They gave me such a fright. They said they had a knife. I was shocked and didn't know what to do.
"They kept telling me to give them K2 or they would stab me with a knife. I was scared. I said no and kept telling them to get out of my shop.
"I don't know why they targeted my store but they must've planned this and known where the K2 was kept. How can you trust any member of the public around here?
"I am still shaken and I hope this never happens again. It could've been so much worse. I hope they are caught,'' he said.
Mr Flanco said he thought it was strange that the two men didn't demand cigarettes or money.
K2, which is a legal over-18 synthetic cannabis that mimics the effects of marijuana, is sold for about $20 a packet.
One offender was European, of medium build, wearing blue jeans and a dark grey hoodie.
The other was Maori or Pacific Islander, about 20, 1.85 metres tall and wearing a light grey hoodie with the word "Globe" on it.
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K2 has caused problems for police in Dunedin.
They say they have encountered offenders using it becoming highly aggressive, experiencing anxiety and hallucinations.
Earlier this month police visited K2 retailers in Dunedin and appealed for them to take K2 off the market.
The product was also believed to be a driver of crime but Christchurch police say it has not yet been an issue in the city.
Anyone with information should call Detective Sergeant Quested on 373 9102.
