Police are hunting for the armed bandit, who walked into the store at 7.40pm firstly he asked for cigarettes then he demanded cash whilst wielding a knife around the bottle shop attendant.   He was last seen running through the car park with a sum of money.

His victim, a 36-year-old woman, had been employed in the bottle shop for three months but had previously worked in other sections of the Tavern, according to manager Judy Austin.

She said the woman was understandably shaken by her ordeal and has been offered counselling in the wake of the robbery."

“I reassured her it’s not her fault, or nothing she did,” Ms Austin said.    “She did everything she could to the best of her ability.     Ms Austin said the armed robbery was the first at the Mapleton Tavern in the 14 years she had worked there.

“I worry for the staff, luckily that’s all that happened,” Ms Austin said.    She continued on to say that a clear photo of the offender was obtained from security cameras that are installed throughout the premises and this photo would be made available as soon as possible.   Somebody will know the person involved in this incident now that the photo has been released."    The attacker in this instance is described as 190cm tall, with a slim build and brown hair.

The Tavern is owned by popular local licensees, Stewart and Gretyl Pickering who previously owned the Maleny Hotel.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Senior Constable Chris Rawlins at Nambour CIB on 5459 0260 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Further Note - 08.04.2008:

Joshua Scott Brown, a 19 year old male youth is accused of stealing a sum of money when he allegedly held up a 36-year-old attendant at knife-point at the Mapleton Tavern Bottle Shop at 7.40pm on October 29.

He hung his head during a bail hearing in Maroochydore Magistrates Court but seemed relieved when he learned he would get bail pending a $7500 surety from a friend.