$20,0000 !!!!
Gunman makes off with brothel booty
The gunman who robbed a central Wellington brothel of tens of thousands of dollars was captured on video, police say.
Detective Constable Clifford Clark said a man walked into Il Bordello in Vivian St with a sawn-off rifle about 11.40pm on Sunday.
He demanded money from the brothel's female receptionist at gunpoint and escaped with "several thousand dollars".
It has been reported the figure could have been as high as $20,000 with the brothel saying it had a bumper weekend following the Wellington leg of the international rugby sevens.
Detective Sergeant Mike Patz today said the gunman had been captured on the brothel's security camera.
Police were planning to release the footage later today in a bid to help identify him.
Mr Patz said there had been a good response to the police call for people to come forward with information.
Several local street workers had provided information about a man who fitted the offender's description - European, in his 30s, slimly built and wearing dark clothing including a beanie - who was seen in nearby Marion St about 20 minutes before the heist.
The robber fled through the back of the brothel and possibly left in a dark coloured saloon-style car that was in the Swan Lane and Marion Street areas around the time of the robbery.
The receptionist was in shock after the incident, Mr Clark said.
"She was grabbed as she tried to flee. Although she has no physical injuries she was very traumatised."
A spokesman for Il Bordello said the receptionist was now "good as gold" and would be back at work in a few days.
"We are very proud of the way she handled herself during what was a very scary situation."
Mr Clark said it was important the robber was caught as quickly as possible. "People who carry a firearm are prepared to use it and there is a chance he could strike again. We need to find him."
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