Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at East Maitland yesterday.

About 2pm (Tuesday 5 August 2014), a 26-year-old cash-in-transit officer parked his van in the Green Hills shopping centre car park.

When he got out of his van he was threatened by a man with a gun who forced him back into the vehicle and to drive to the other end of the car park.

The van stopped and the man stole cash before running from the area.

The victim hit the duress alarm and officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended.

No one was injured during the incident.

Local police conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area; however the man was not found.

A crime scene was established and examined by forensic specialists.

Inquiries into the matter are continuing and police are appealing for information from the public.
A man, who may be able to assist with inquiries, has been described as having tanned skin and wearing a plain black hooded jumper with the hood up and big black glasses.

Anyone who knows the man’s identity, or has any information that could assist detectives, is urged to come forward.