Two aggravated robberies as separate youth groups hit adult store and service station

Sunday, 29 March 2026

Two young people will appear in Youth Court following an armed robbery as police search for four suspects in another, which left a store worker with a broken arm.

Police were called to a commercial property on Blighs Rd in Christchurch at 7.35pm on Saturday following reports of a group of young people entering the site, including one allegedly carrying a weapon. Officers specified that it was not a firearm.

“Fortunately, no one was assaulted or injured, however, it does appear some items were taken,” Detective Sergeant Rebecca Podmore said. The group fled in a vehicle, which police were initially unable to find.

“Around two hours later, police received a call with information suggesting that those responsible for the robbery were at a residential address in Hoon Hay.”

Officers took two youths into custody, who are expected in Youth Court on Monday on aggravated robbery charges. Inquiries were ongoing to locate others involved, she said.

In a separate incident, Podmore said police were still searching for four masked offenders who entered Weirdos Adult Store on Main South Rd in Hornby about 7.30pm on Friday, stealing several items before fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

One of the offenders allegedly assaulted a store worker, who suffered a broken arm. They were taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Weirdos’ website advertises a wide range of sex toys, as well as collectables, vapes, legal party pills and “smoking herbs”. The store has been at its Main South Rd site for decades.

A manager told The Press the staff member was doing well, and had been discharged from hospital. The store was open as usual.

Police had found the stolen vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery – a grey Toyota Rav 4 – abandoned on Ellesmere Rd in Lincoln. The search for the people involved was ongoing.

They urged anyone with information about the robbery, the offenders, or who was in the area between 7pm and 8pm and had dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward.

Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 260327/8118. Alternatively, it can be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers by dialling 0800 555 111.