Two people armed with tools threatened staff at a Rotorua Four Square store before stealing tobacco products and the store’s till.

The Four Square Selwyn Heights on the corner of Kōkako St and Old Quarry Rd in Rotorua was hit about 3pm on Saturday, December 14 by two people who wielded weapons and threatened store workers.

Police said no one was physically hurt.

Two people fled in a stolen white Toyota Corolla, a police spokesperson said in a statement in response to questions.

The stolen vehicle was later found crashed into a grass reserve on Ariariterangi St at Ōhinemutu in Rotorua. A man aged 23 was taken into custody by police and later charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle. He was to appear in the Rotorua District Court at a later date.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson said a scene examination had been carried out at the Four Square and police were working to find the offenders. They are appealing for witnesses for both the store robbery and the crashed stolen car to come forward to police.

Those with information can contact police by calling 105 and referencing the file number 241214/0205.

No one at Four Square Selwyn Heights could be contacted for comment.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.