Armed robbery sparks police searches

Police searched a number of addresses in Wanganui yesterday as part of investigations into the aggravated robbery of the St John Four Square Supermarket.

Just before 7.30pm on Saturday, an armed man ran into the Great North Rd supermarket on St John's Hill and demanded money from manager Vinod Meghwal.

The man had a long-barrelled weapon, pointed it at Mr Meghwal and told him to empty the till. When Mr Meghwal opened the till and started to hand the money over, the robber darted behind the counter next to him and thrust the weapon into his stomach.

The robber's face was covered with some kind of cloth, but all Mr Meghwal could remember was looking at the barrel of the gun pushed into his stomach.

Three female customers were in the shop and all dropped to the floor and stayed there. One other staff member was in the shop at the time.

Police said that after acting on several search warrants they were following positive leads.