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A 29-year-old Campbell Town man is in custody after an armed robbery at a Mowbray bank.
Tasmania Police allege a man entered the ANZ branch on Invermay Road on Friday.
He allegedly demanded cash from staff and held a knife to a customer’s stomach before taking money from her.
Bank staff sounded the alarm and the man fled on foot.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Police said the 29-year-old man was assisting them with their inquiries.
Anyone with information about the incident contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, which can be done anonymously.
Information can also be reported to Crime Stoppers online at crimestopperstas.com.au.
EARLIER:
A knife-wielding man is accused of taking a customer hostage at ANZ bank in Mowbray and telling staff “this is a hold up”.
The offender allegedly entered the Invermay Road bank just before 2pm on Friday.
The man allegedly stood behind a female customer before pointing a knife at her stomach and demanding cash from staff.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Parker said the man also took money from the female customer after threatening her with the knife.
The man then fled on foot and was last seen running into Mowbray Marketplace.
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Detective Senior Sergeant Parker said a "small amount” but “not a significant amount” of cash was stolen.
Bank staff sounded the alarm and police arrived at the scene, but the man was nowhere to be found.
Officers searched the Mowbray, Invermay and Mayfield areas on Friday afternoon.
Nobody at the bank was injured, but the customers and staff were “shaken up” by the incident.
“Obviously any armed hold up is a traumatic ordeal for those involved,” Detective Senior Sergeant Parker said.
‘It’s something that desperate people do and as a community we don’t want to stand for it.”
The bank was closed for the day as police continued their investigations at the scene.
The knife at the centre of the alleged robbery had not been located on Friday afternoon but was being described as about a foot in length.
The alleged offender was identified on CCTV footage and has been described as being about 182 centimetres tall, slim build and wearing a black hoodie and black top.
“We have got a particular line of inquiry that we are following and we are seeking any assistance from the public or any person that may have seen the suspect at Mowbray,” Detective Senior Sergeant Parker said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Anyone with information about the incident or who may have seen the man in the area of ANZ Bank on Invermay Road should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
