TWO Asian shopkeepers in Tongatapu were robbed and threatened by masked men with a cane knife and a calvanized pipe, during two separate armed robberies last week.

Police said on April 12 that the offenders remained at large and they requested the public's help with any information that might assist with their investigation.

Deputy Police Commander Taniela Faletau confirmed that at 10pm on the night of April 7 five male offenders with their faces covered entered the main door at an Asian shop on Bypass Road at Longolongo.

The robbers threatened the shopkeeper with a cane knife and a piece of calvanised pipe and stole $300 cash and two sleeves of cigarettes.

He said a second robbery occurred on the night of Saturday April 9 at another Asian shop at Ma'ufanga where three male offenders with their faces covered with clothing entered the shop at 11pm and threatened the shopkeeper with a piece of calvanized pipe.

The robbers stole $2,000 cash and phone cards valued at $200.

There were no firearms involved and no injuries sustained in either of the robberies.