Christchurch police are hoping the public can help catch a man who robbed Armadillos bar and restaurant in Halswell.

Constable Geoff Reid said a car pulled up with two people in it, on Saturday the 25th of September.

The robbery happened at 11.20AM.

“The driver wore a high vis jacket and got out of the vehicle with a red supermarket bag. As has entered the restaurant he pulled out a firearm from that red bag.”

A worker told Police Ten 7, he was “fully covered holding a gun, and acted quite rationally. He wasn’t elevated or excited or anything so yeah, initially I thought, is this real? Was it not real? It is real.”

Constable Reid said “the offender noticed a staff entering the kitchen. He’s was a bit startled and walked towards that staff member where he managed to force the staff to confirm that there were three staff members on site. He then moved them towards the tills.”

“He remained at the bar, pointing a gun at the staff members, which is a really horrific experience for them. But they’ve done a really great job of just doing what they’ve been told to do, which is just getting the money out of the till.”

He then told the staff members to go to the pokies area. “He’s told them to remain there or they could be shot if they follow.”

Victims have described him as man in his 30s of solid build.

Constable Reid said “there was a passenger in the vehicle and when the man returned with the firearm in the bag, he grabbed the bag and put it at his feet.”

“The two people in that car have no doubt spoken to each other and people have either overheard them speaking or spoken to one of them. So we’d like to hear from anyone who’s heard any of those conversations.”

Constable Reid said “we’ve found in our inquiry to silver vehicle matching the description of the one that left the scene has been seen at a petrol station nearby and the occupant has made a purchase. We’re not saying that vehicle or the person who exited the vehicle was linked to the robbery. But we’d really like to speak to the male who exited that vehicle or anyone who recognises the man.”

“Police are really motivated to catch this man. He’s presented a firearm at three staff members more than just the cash is stolen. He’s really affected the lives of three staff members who are just going to be going through that in their heads for a long time.”