Bomb Scare & Bank Robbery

At about 10:50 am this morning a telephone call was received at the police communication centre, stating that three bombs had been placed in the Tikipunga High School in Whangarei.

The person who rang the police was male and he told the police operator that this was not a joke and the bombs would explode.

Emergency service responded to the school and with the assistance of the staff evacuated 500-600 students from the school.

The evacuation included the Kindergarten which is attached to the high school. Following a thorough search of the school no explosive devices were found.

At 11:45 am while police and fire were attending this job, a male Maori entered the ANZ Bank on Rathbone Street, Whangarei.

He handed the teller a note stating that he wanted cash but did not want to hurt anyone.

A sum of money was handed to this person, whereupon he left the bank and was last seen entering a taxi with a female, the taxi then drove off leaving the area.

During this holdup there were no weapons sighted and no persons were injured.

The offender is described as a male Maori wearing a black cap, a white/grey hoody with the words 'Lowrider' written across the chest.

He had scruffy facial hair.

It is unknown whether the two incidents are linked.

Police are seeking any witnesses to the incident at the bank and should contact the Whangarei police on 094304500