Oamaru woman Krystal Shelford said she was in Lotto’n Things in Oamaru’s north end about 12.30pm yesterday to send a parcel when a woman, who was not involved in the robbery, told her to stop moving as a man told her everything was "going to be OK".
She did not see a weapon on the man, whom she described as having an accent and aged in his mid-30s.
Once his plastic bag had been filled by staff with $50 notes he left the Thames St store, lifted his balaclava and ran across nearby Roberts Park. After the incident, police using a police dog started to search for the man.
No-one was injured during the robbery but Miss Shelford said the store attendants, neither of whom wanted to speak to the ODT yesterday, were both shaken by the incident.
"They said he came in without a mask on and then he [put it on]."
The store was closed for the afternoon after the robbery.
Other shop owners in the Oamaru North shopping area were not aware of any disturbance until the police arrived.
Police issued an appeal on their Facebook page last night for sightings of the man.
They said that on leaving, the man got into a burgundy-coloured vehicle in Clare St, a short distance from the shop.
He was described as wearing a dark-coloured balaclava, dark long-sleeved top, blue jeans and fingerless gloves.
● Detective Sergeant Rebecca Hill, Oamaru Police (03) 433-1417; Crimestoppers 0800 555111.
