Police want the public's help as they investigate three potentially linked bar robberies in the Hutt Valley.
Photos of alleged offenders have been released from the most recent incident at a bar on King Street, Upper Hutt.
Hutt Valley Police Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd said police were called to the bar at around 1.30am on Saturday. Two people brandishing weapons approached bar staff.
CCTV footage showed the men wearing beanies, sweatshirts and cloths over their faces.
“Thankfully, staff were uninjured, but this incident was understandably unsettling for everyone involved," Todd said.
“After making various demands the offenders fled in a vehicle belonging to a staff member. The vehicle was found abandoned on Sinclair Street in Upper Hutt."
Police wanted "anyone who witnessed anything" in those areas at the time to get in touch.
They were particularly interested in any footage that showed "the movement of people or vehicles near King and Sinclair Streets between 11pm on Friday 9 January and 2.30 am on Saturday 10 January."
Since December 10, two other bars were targeted in similar fashion, with the use of weapons and demands for money and other items.
These happened in a bar on Evans St, Stokes Valley about 10pm on Thursday January 1, and a bar on Ward St, Upper Hutt just after midnight on Wednesday December 10.
Todd said police were still trying to work out whether the robberies were linked.
"There are some similarities and the investigation team is working to establish if these have all been committed by the same offender or offenders.”
Police planned to contact bar owners in the Hutt Valley and wider Wellington District to offer support, especially around staff safety procedures.
"Police advise that if anyone is confronted by a person with a weapon to remain calm and to do what is required to avoid an unnecessary escalation."
They urged anyone who recognised the people pictured, or had any relevant footage or information to get in touch via 105 using reference number 260110/6662.
Reports could also be made anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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